A California-based legal firm is appealing a controversial state law that forces pro-life pregnancy centers to advertise for abortion.

Pacific Justice Institute filed an appeal with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asking for an order to shut down the law pending outcome of its lawsuit.

The court refused and PJI has now filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Reproductive Fact Act which requires pro-life centers to accounce in mandated signage that abortion is available and where clients can get one at a low cost.

PJI attorney Brad Dacus says his clients are in a "quagmire" over abiding by the controversial law.

"Which, to them, is promoting the killing of innocent unborn babies totally against what they believe and their purpose," says the PJI attorney. "Or not post the advertisement and risk having their place shut down with heavy fines that are way too burdensome for any of them to be able to pay."

Federal courts have found similar laws in Baltimore and Austin, Texas unconstitutional violations of free speech, which makes it more likely that the Supreme Court will take up the case, says Dacus.

Meanwhile, the pro-life centers continue to operate while waiting for the weight of the state to punish them for following their religious beliefs about life.