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A Texas appeals court has overturned a lower court order that temporarily shut down three clinics operated by a Houston-area midwife accused of violating the state’s strict abortion ban, ruling that the state failed to present sufficient evidence to support its claims. The decision represents a setback for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s efforts to use civil enforcement powers against alleged abortion providers and highlights the continuing legal battles surrounding abortion restrictions in the United States.

The Texas Fifteenth Court of Appeals ruled that the lower court relied improperly on evidence from a separate criminal case against midwife Maria Rojas, rather than assessing whether the state had provided enough proof in its own civil lawsuit. According to the appellate court, the evidence presented by the state did not justify the sweeping temporary injunction that prevented Rojas from operating her clinics.

State’s Lawsuit Against Midwife Rejected Over Lack of Evidence

The lawsuit was filed by the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeking to stop Rojas from continuing to practice and requesting financial penalties. State officials accused her of violating Texas’ near-total abortion ban by allegedly providing illegal abortion services and practising medicine without proper authorisation.

The lower court had previously granted a temporary injunction that forced the closure of three clinics linked to Rojas. However, the appeals court found that the state’s case did not meet the required legal standard for such extraordinary relief.

The judges specifically criticised the reliance on allegations from Rojas’ ongoing criminal prosecution, noting that a civil proceeding requires independent evidence capable of proving the state’s claims. The court’s ruling does not determine whether Rojas committed any offence but only concludes that the evidence presented at this stage was insufficient to justify shutting down her clinics.

Criminal Charges Against Rojas Continue

Although the civil case suffered a setback, Rojas is still facing separate criminal charges. Prosecutors have accused her of performing abortions in violation of Texas law and practising medicine without a licence. She has pleaded not guilty and continues to contest the allegations.The distinction between the civil and criminal proceedings is significant. While the appeals court found weaknesses in the state’s request to immediately stop Rojas from operating her clinics, the criminal prosecution will continue independently.

Rojas’ legal team has welcomed the ruling as a significant victory, arguing that the state’s attempt to shut down her clinics was based on inadequate evidence. However, they have also acknowledged that reopening the clinics may be difficult because of the broader legal uncertainty surrounding abortion services in Texas.