The Alabama Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling for the rights of unborn children.

In an 8 to 1 decision, the Court ruled that the state’s child protection laws apply to unborn children, declaring that the court believes a child in the womb has a right to life.

The ruling came in the case of a woman who had been using cocaine while pregnant.  When her child was born, the infant has cocaine in their system and the mother was charged with violation of the state’s chemical endangerment statute.

Her lawyers claimed that an unborn child was not a child under the definition of state law.

Mat Staver of the Liberty Counsel applauded the court’s decision.

“In an age where some judges do not know the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, or do not even care, finally the Alabama Supreme Court springs forth with a ray of light,” Staver said in a statement.