HEMPSTEAD, Texas – Waller County District Court Judge Gary Chaney ruled on Thursday in favor of a temporary injunction to keep the medical clinics owned by licensed midwife Maria Rojas shut down.
Judge Chaney heard nearly eight hours of arguments from attorneys.
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On this civil case, Rojas has retained defense attorney Katherine Treistman and Center for Reproductive Rights attorneys Marc Hearron and Jenna Hudson.
From the Texas Attorney General’s Office, prosecutors Amy Hilton and Katherine Pitcher were present in court.
Rojas’ defense attorneys argued the prosecution failed to demonstrate their burden of proof showing Rojas performed illegal abortions and was practicing medicine without a license.
"The civil case is based on a set of assumptions, conjecture, wildly irresponsible leaps to conclusions," said Hearron to reporter after the hearing on Thursday.
The defense attorneys also argued keeping Rojas’ clinics shut down would hinder on the livelihoods of her many workers and patients who rely on the variety of healthcare services.
“As a result of the case that the state has brought, there are now health care services, there are clinics that provided legal, we believe, completely lawful services to to underprivileged, underserved communities that are now shut down,” said Hearron.
Rojas’ defense attorney representing her on the criminal case was also in court, Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube.
“We’re glad to be able to start the process of attacking these charges and believe that she is innocent,” said Hochglaube. “We ask that you continue to let the facts dictate how you perceive this case. Not allow sensationalism in politics get in the way of actual facts.”
Hochglaube said her client is awaiting her day in court on the criminal case.
“Right now, we don’t even have the standard charges that you would ordinarily have in a criminal accusation. It’s simply an arrest warrant,” said Hochglaube.
Hilton could not provide comment about Rojas’ criminal charges.
KPRC 2 has reached out to the attorney general’s office to find out whether the case will go to a grand jury proceeding for indictment or if a criminal complaint will be formally filed.
