Case: GERSTEIN et al. v. COE et al.
Abbreviation: Gerstein v. Coe
Decision Date: 1974-06-03
Docket Number: No. 73-1157
Citation: 417 U.S. 279
Volume: 417
Reporter: United States Reports
Court: Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction: United States
Parties: GERSTEIN et al. v. COE et al.
Judges: 
Pages: 279–280

Head Matter:
GERSTEIN et al. v. COE et al.
No. 73-1157.
Decided June 3, 1974

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
A three-judge District Court entered a declaratory-judgment holding unconstitutional a Florida statute, Fla. Stat. Ann. §458.22 (3) (Supp. 1974^-1975), which forbids an abortion without the consent of the husband, if the woman is married, and if unmarried and under the age of 18, without the consent of a parent. Because it was anticipated that the State would respect the declaratory judgment, the court declined to issue an injunction against the enforcement of the statute. The State of Florida appeals from the declaratory judgment invalidating the statute. The appeal ' is dismissed for want of jurisdiction. Title 28 U. S. C. § 1253, under which this appeal is sought to be taken, does not authorize an appeal from the grant or denial of declaratory relief alone. Gunn v. University Committee, 399 U. S. 383 (1970); Mitchell v. Donovan, 398 U. S. 427 (1970); Rockefeller v. Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn & Queens, Inc., Division of St. Mary's Hospital, 397 U. S. 820 (1970); see also Roe v. Wade, 410 U. S. 113, 123 (1973). The declaratory judgment is appealable to the Court of Appeals, and we are informed that an appeal to that court has already been taken. It is suggested that we treat the statement of jurisdiction as a petition for certiorari before judgment to the Court of Appeals pursuant to 28 U. S. C. § 1254 (1). The petition for certiorari is denied.