Pregnant Women, Junk Science, and Zealous Defense
June 14, 2010

Lynn M. Paltrow, JD & Kathrine Jack, DJ

Reprinted with permission from The Champion magazine.
© National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2010.

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It's not too late to register for this phenomenal continuing professional education opportunity, presented by National Advocates for Pregnant Women, with New York University's School of Law & The NYU Silver School of Social Work.

A continuing professional education opportunity

Presented by: National Advocates for Pregnant Women, with New York University's School of Law & The NYU Silver School of Social Work
When: Thursday, April 29, 2010 (half day program 12p-5p)
Where: NYU School of Law, 40 Washington Square South, Manhattan
Contact: Aileen Dibra, NAPW Conference Coordinator confcoordinator@advocatesforpregnantwomen.

March 24, 2010

Download a pdf of this fact sheet here

Based on the extraordinary misinformation that appeared frequently in the popular press, many people believe that a pregnant woman who uses any amount of an illegal drug or alcohol will inevitably harm or even kill her fetus.

A U.S. District Court Judge in Maine held a sentencing hearing for an HIV positive, pregnant woman from Cameroon and released her on time served. You may recall that earlier this summer Judge Woodcock sentenced her to 238 days, stating this sentence was calculated specifically to ensure that she remained incarcerated for the duration of her pregnancy, rather than time served as recommend by Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the U.S. Attorney and the defense attorney.

In the midst of media and public policy frenzy over pregnant women, mothers, and "crack" cocaine, a ray of sanity presented itself in the form of family rehabilitation programs set up in New York City.

SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
9:00am - 6:00pm

New York University School of Law
40 Washington Square South

Program and Biographies of Speakers to be posted soon.

Intervention to protect children when their parents are drug users is an important area of child welfare.

Supreme Court of New Mexico Strikes Down State’s Attempt to Convict Woman Struggling with Addiction During Pregnancy.

Leading Physicians, Scientific Researchers, and Medical, Public Health, and Child Welfare Organizations Applaud Court’s Order

PRESS RELEASE May 11, 2007

Drug Policy Alliance National Advocates for Pregnant Women

For Immediate Release:
CONTACT:
Reena Szczepanski (DPA): 505-983-3277
Nancy Goldstein (NAPW): 347-563-1647

On May 11, the Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico turned back the state's attempt to expand the criminal child abuse laws to apply to pregnant women and fetuses.

In November of this year Hartford Courant Commentator, Helen Ubiñas contacted NAPW about Barbara Harris and her latest efforts in Connecticut. NAPW was able to provide this thinking journalist with extensive background information about the program and the letter on the "crack baby" myth from the leading researchers in the field.

The Work Life Law Program at UC Hastings College of the Law has an excellent report addressing the problem working mothers face when a child is sick at home. For this excellent report, One Sick Child Away From Being Fired: When "Opting Out" Is Not An Option, by Professor Joan C. Williams please go to:

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