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Texas Prosecutor Gets Fine, Probated Bar Suspension After Jailing Woman for Abortion

Loaded on Aug. 15, 2024 published in Prison Legal News August, 2024, page 43
Filed under: Prosecutor/Attorney General Misconduct, Abortion, Attorney Misconduct, Fines. Location: Texas.

On January 25, 2024, the Texas Bar Association issued a probated suspension to Starr County District Attorney Gocha A. Ramirez, after finding he “sought to pursue criminal homicide charges against an individual for acts clearly not criminal” when he jailed Lizelle Herrera, 26, on a $500,000 bond in April 2022 for a self-­induced abortion.

Herrera was released two days later when Ramirez dropped murder charges against her, admitting that she never should have been arrested. State law criminalizing abortion targets providers and specifically exempts the mother carrying a fetus. So it was unclear what prompted the charges against Herrera; however, a member of Ramirez’s staff represented Herrera’s former husband in a divorce action filed the same day.

In a settlement reached with the Bar, Ramirez agreed to a one-­year suspension from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, probated on condition he doesn’t violate any other laws. He was also required to pay $1,250 in costs and fees. While on probation, he can continue to practice law in the state and serve as county prosecutor. See: In re Ramirez, Tex. Bar. File No. 202202571 (2024).  

Additional source: Texas Tribune

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