ACLU-Nebraska: Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself

The process is called a "judicial bypass," and it is only granted to young women who can prove to the court that they are emotionally mature enough to make this decision and that there are serious reason why they cannot tell their parents to get parental permission for the abortion.  Nebraska state law explicitly requires every courthouse to put the judicial bypass forms out where they can be easily found, without making an embarrassed teenager have to ask for help from anyone.  ACLU Nebraska surveyed Nebraska courthouses in the summer of 2005 and found only 1 county was obeying the law.  The rest simply did not have the forms on display...making yet another obstacle to young women's ability to exercise their reproductive right to choose.  ACLU intervention resulted in a letter going to every Clerk of the Court across the state, and our survey indicates the law is being followed now.