Important Update: Major Victory in the AJ Hurley Case
I want to share an important and long-awaited update in the case of People v. Hurley. Life Legal has represented AJ Hurley from the beginning of this three-year legal battle, and we are grateful to report that all felony charges against him have now been dismissed!
This is a significant victory—and one that affirms what we have said from the outset: these charges were inflated far beyond the facts in an effort to intimidate peaceful pro-life advocates.
You may have noticed that we have not shared many updates about this case over the past three years. That silence was intentional. We did not want to risk prejudicing the judge or jeopardizing AJ’s rights by discussing details publicly while the case was pending. Now that the court has issued its ruling, we can finally share more of what has taken place.
During a November 17 hearing at the San Francisco Hall of Justice, the prosecutor attempted to limit the number of supporters in the courtroom, claiming they were “intimidating” to abortionist Dr. Eleanor Drey. The judge immediately rejected the request: “On what grounds? This is a public courtroom.”
Life Legal attorney Allison Aranda, who has stood by AJ through every step of this case, attended the hearing along with AJ, his wife Lori, and a group of supporters who gathered in prayer before entering the courtroom. AJ was facing the possibility of up to ten years in prison and permanent loss of certain civil rights.
When AJ addressed the Court, he apologized for any distress caused and explained that he never intended to intimidate anyone. His goal—and the goal of those with him—was to shed light on the humanity of the unborn and the brutal reality of abortion at UCSF, which performs late-term abortions and uses fetal remains for grotesque experimentation. When AJ began speaking about the dignity of unborn children, the prosecutor asked the judge to stop him—and the judge complied, cutting off his remarks mid-sentence.
“This case exemplifies the misuse of inflated charges to intimidate peaceful pro-life advocates,” said Attorney Aranda, Life Legal’s Director of Criminal Litigation. “We are grateful that the court recognized the need to reduce the charges to a level consistent with the facts.”
Because of supporters like you, Life Legal was able to push back against these inflated charges, protect AJ’s constitutional rights, and ensure the truth was heard in court. Your support doesn’t just fund legal defense—it becomes a lifeline for pro-life advocates who face the full force of hostile prosecutors simply for defending unborn children.
AJ and his family felt your prayers and support throughout this long ordeal. This victory is a direct result of your faithfulness and commitment. Thank you for making it possible for Life Legal to defend those who defend life.