Delivery Room to the Courtroom: Evaluating and Challenging Drug Test Evidence in Pregnancy & Birth

This event was hosted by Pregnancy Justice.

Drug tests of pregnant people often become central evidence in child welfare and criminal proceedings despite important scientific and clinical limitations. This multidisciplinary webinar brings together physicians, forensic science experts, and attorneys to explain how drug tests are ordered, performed, interpreted, and introduced in court. Watch the recording to learn where errors and misunderstandings occur, how to critically evaluate toxicology evidence, and practical strategies for examining and challenging drug test evidence in litigation, while also understanding the harmful consequences for mothers, babies, and families, as well as the broader implications for patient care and public policy.

Panelists:

• Miriam Mack, Campaigns & Advocacy Director, Senior Legal Counsel, Movement for Family Power

• Lisa Montanez, Forensic Science Policy Advisor, Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice at Cardozo Law

• Melissa Moore, Civil Systems Reform Director, Drug Policy Alliance

• Dr. Mishka Terplan, Co-Founder, Doing Right By Birth