Dear Friends,

As many of you know, our sister organization, the Institute for Patients' Rights, has been working hard alongside lawyers to prepare for a hearing at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. We have an update to share on the most recent case information! First, please see below for a summary of the case proceedings so far:

A word from Matt Vallière, Executive Director of PRAF & IPR:

On March 26th, we appeared before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Our lawyer, Ernie Galvan, crushed it! C&C took up some of the state’s 15 minutes, trying to intervene, even though they’ve been rejected by the court twice now. The state's presentation seemed weak and ill prepared. Recording of the hearing can be found HERE.

Then, on March 28th, the 9th Circuit issued an order stating that it will wait to make a decision.

They believe that the result of another case - Arizona Alliance - may determine case law that would affect the outcome of our own, so they have decided to wait on a decision until Arizona Alliance is decided. It could be six months or more before we know more. 

 
Our lawyers will closely follow and report on developments as they become public! 

In the meantime, please see the video below summarizing the hearing at the 9th Circuit!

Stay tuned! Let’s OVERTURN assisted suicide in California and beyond together in solidarity!

Best, 

Pictured from left to right: Ernest Galvan and Michael Bien, our lawyers for the case.

Pictured from left to right: Michael Bien, John Vescovo (Executive Director for Independent Living Center of California - ILCSC), Keith Miller (Executive Director of CALIF - another organizational plaintiff), Dennis Perez (ILCSC Staff), Norma Jean Vescovo (Founder of ILCSC), Ernie Galvan, Yvette Lavery (one of the early PRAF staff members & disability advocate), and Matt Vallière. Photo courtesy of Sarah Kitchens (ILCSC Staff)