(Clearwater, FL) - The American Center for Law and Justice, an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law, said today it is disappointed that a Florida state court denied its motion to intervene on behalf of Robert and Mary Schindler - the parents of Terri Schindler Schiavo - in a lawsuit brought by Michael Schiavo and supported by the ACLU challenging the constitutionality of the actions of Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida legislature in ordering life-saving measures to be restored to Terri Schindler Schiavo.

"We're very disappointed with the court's ruling," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. "It is clear that state law permits the parents to get directly involved in a case to defend a state law that is keeping their daughter alive. It is unfortunate that the court did not find that the parents have sufficient legal interest in defending the state's actions - actions that provide the only barrier between Terri and death by starvation. We are currently examining all legal options available - including an appeal - for our clients. We will do everything possible to ensure that the interests of Terri's parents are represented in this case."

Sekulow said the ACLJ is considering several options including filing a motion with the court to reconsider its ruling denying the motion to intervene; filing an appeal with the Florida Second District Court of Appeal; or, representing the interests of Terri's parents with the filing of an amicus brief on the issue.

"While the court will permit the filing of an amicus brief on behalf of the parents, it is difficult to imagine that the court would shut out the parents from becoming directly involved in a case where the life of their daughter is at stake," said Sekulow. "We believe the state acted properly and constitutionally in taking the life-saving actions and we believe the Schindlers should be permitted to be involved directly in a case where the outcome may well determine if Terri lives or dies. Without doubt, the Schindlers should be permitted to enter this case to defend 'Terri's Law.'"

The Schindlers want to respond directly as a party to the lawsuit filed by Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, challenging the constitutionality of "Terri's Law" - legislation that gave Governor Jeb Bush the authority to order Terri's feeding tube re-inserted and her nutrition and hydration resumed. The American Civil Liberties Union has joined with Michael Schiavo in this legal challenge in the case of Schiavo v. Bush.

The ACLJ is representing the parents in only one aspect of this ongoing case - the legal challenge to the constitutionality of the actions of the Governor and state legislature. Patricia Fields Anderson, an attorney in St. Petersburg, is representing Terri's parents in all other aspects of the case.

The American Center for Law and Justice is an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law and the protection of human life. The ACLJ is based in Washington, D.C. and its web site address is www.aclj.org.