The report from Pregnancy Justice reveals that 210 criminal charges were documented related to pregnancies between June 2022 and June 2023, marking a historical peak in pregnancy-related criminalizations in the U.S.
The rise in prosecutions is directly tied to the legal doctrine of 'fetal personhood', which grants full legal rights to embryos and fetuses, making them victims of crimes committed by their mothers.
According to Lourdes Rivera, the growing number of charges is a reflection of how prosecutors have become emboldened to adopt aggressive strategies targeting pregnant individuals following the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade.
The figures presented in the report do not account for additional investigations or harassment of pregnant individuals by law enforcement, suggesting that the true extent of criminalization may be significantly higher.
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