97-3-3 - Abortion; causing abortion or miscarriage. - Mississippi Statutes

§ 97-3-3. Abortion; causing abortion or miscarriage.
 

(1)  Any person wilfully and knowingly causing, by means of any instrument, medicine, drug or other means whatever, any woman pregnant with child to abort or miscarry, or attempts to procure or produce an abortion or miscarriage shall be guilty of a felony unless the same were done by a duly licensed, practicing physician: 

(a) Where necessary for the preservation of the mother's life; 

(b) Where pregnancy was caused by rape. 
 

Said person shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned in the State Penitentiary not less than one (1) year nor more than ten (10) years; provided, however, if the death of the mother results therefrom, the person procuring, causing or attempting to procure or cause the illegal abortion or miscarriage shall be guilty of murder. 

(2)  No act prohibited in subsection (1) of this section shall be considered exempt under the provisions of subparagraph (a) thereof unless performed upon the prior advice in writing, of two (2) reputable licensed physicians. 

(3)  The license of any physician or nurse shall be automatically revoked upon conviction under the provisions of this section. 

(4)  Nothing in this section shall be construed as conflicting with Section 41-41-73. 
 

Sources: Codes, 1942, § 2223; Laws,  1952, ch. 260, §§ 1-3; Laws, 1966, ch. 358, § 1; Laws,  1997, ch. 350, § 3, eff from and after July 1, 1997.