Stay (the SB8 judgment) just a little bit longer

My recurring argument around SB8 is that the statute does not eliminate judicial review of SB8's substantive provisions, it channels it into a defensive posture in state court (with SCOTUS review at the end). Providers and advocates reject that because it requires them to violate the law, get sued, and risk liability. But this reflects two distinct concerns: Incurring ultimate liability because SCOTUS rules against them at the end of the day and having to satisfy and comply with a judgment before they have an opportunity to fully litigate the issues.

But state procedures in the defensive action address that by allowing courts to stay judgments or orders pending appeal. That is, imagine the state court rules in favor of Billy Bob and against Whole Women's Health and awards statutory damages, attorney's fees, and enjoins WWH from future prohibited abortions. The state court can stay that judgment pending review, preventing the plaintiffs from collecting damages or enforcing the injunction until appellate review is complete. A stay seems appropriate here, given the constitutional uncertainty, the unique procedural posture of these cases, and the irreparable harm to the defendant if they must comply with this judgment immediately. One member of the ConLawProf listserv suggested that the SCOTUS majority could have alleviated some of the shouting over its refusal to stay or enjoin by including a sentence saying they expect state courts would issue such stays in any enforcement proceeding.

There is precedent for this. After the Alabama trial court issued a $ 500,000 judgment against The Times and four civil-rights leader defendants, all defendants moved for a new trial and The Times asked for and received a continuance (essentially, a stay of the judgment), so Sullivan never began collecting against them. The individuals never asked for that stay, so Sullivan went after Ralph Abernathy's assets. The point is that providers can avoid paying on any loss until litigation is complete. If the loss is affirmed because SCOTUS declares SB8 valid, the concern now is about the substantive right, not the process.

There is a third problem for providers--having to defend dozes or hundreds of such suits. But there is a possible solution to that. Given that every SB8 action involves the same conduct and raises the same issues (state standing and substantive invalidity), there is a good argument that the courts in cases 2-200 should, in their discretion, stay those cases awaiting the outcome of the one "test" case.

This is not perfect by any means. But it undermines the complaint that judicial review is impossible or that it requires providers or advocates to place themselves in irreparable jeopardy.