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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWis. AG Threatens Clerks Marrying Same-Sex Couples
Wisconsins attorney general today warned that county clerks issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples could face criminal charges for doing so, and asserted that same-sex marriages that have taken place in the state this past week are not legally valid.
J.B. Van Hollens remarks came as a reported 63 of the states 72 counties were issuing licenses to gay and lesbian couples, in light of a federal judges decision last Friday striking down the states anti-marriage equality laws. Judge Barbara Crabb has rejected Van Hollens request for an emergency stay of the ruling and said that what county clerks do is an issue for state courts, although she agreed to hold a hearing tomorrow to consider issuing an order on how public officials should carry out her ruling. Van Hollen has appealed Crabb's ruling to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago and asked that court for a stay as well.
In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today, Van Hollen said some people in the state are basically taking the law into their own hands and there can be legal repercussions for that. He continued, Depending on who believes theyre married under the law and who doesnt believe theyre married under the law may cause them to get themselves in some legal problems that I think are going to take years for them and the courts to work out.
He said he did not believe the couples will be prosecuted, but county clerks may be. Thats going to be up to district attorneys, not me, he told the Journal Sentinel. There are penalties within our marriage code, within our statutes, and hopefully theyre acting with full awareness of whats contained therein.
http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2014/06/12/wis-ag-clerks-could-face-jail-licensing-same-sex-marriages
sheshe2
(84,006 posts)can take a flying leap for all I care. He sure is on the wrong side of history here.
Haters gotta hate.
So good to see you William
William769
(55,148 posts)sheshe2
(84,006 posts)Glad you have a date set.
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)...which is a majorly sucky place to be.