October 6, 2022

In the past several decades, the criminal regulation of pregnancy has been steadily growing. Increasing numbers of pregnant people are being arrested for behaviors that would not be criminal if they were not pregnant - from using drugs or alcohol, to attempting suicide, to failing to wear a seat belt. Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the end of a constitutional right to abortion, this trend is sure to increase rapidly. This presentation will explore both the genesis of the movement to criminalize reproduction and the likely paths such criminalization will take in the coming years.