On March 17, 1937, Palmer was acquitted based on the conclusion that her actions passed the criminal code's pro bono publico clause and were carried out in the interest of the public good. The verdict was challenged in the Ontario Court of Appeal, but ultimately upheld. In comments following the trial, Palmer explained her position as having had to do the "dirty work" on behalf of men involved with the birth control movement. Although contraception was not fully legalized in Canada until 1969, Palmer was the only person to be prosecuted for providing information about birth control.
