Roe v. Wade Case Brief Example


The following case brief for Roe v. Wade (1973) provides a concise and structured summary of the court case that serves as a valuable reference tool for law students and legal professionals. It allows them to review and analyze legal principles, identify key issues and holdings, and gain insight into the court’s reasoning.

By presenting cases in a structured manner, case briefs facilitate effective studying, research, and the application of legal principles to new legal scenarios. Whether used for exam preparation, legal research, or enhancing understanding of judicial decisions, case briefs are invaluable resources that contribute to a deeper comprehension of the law.

Case: Roe v. Wade

Court:Supreme Court of the United States
Citation:410 U.S. 113 (1973)
Petitioner:Jane Roe (pseudonym for Norma McCorvey)
Respondent:Henry Wade, District Attorney of Dallas County, Texas

Procedural History: Roe v. Wade (1973)

  • Norma McCorvey, under the pseudonym Jane Roe, filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Texas’ abortion laws.
  • The District Court declared the Texas abortion laws unconstitutional.
  • The case was appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

Facts: Roe v. Wade

Roe v. Wade involved a Texas statute that criminalized abortion, except to save the life of the mother. “Jane Roe,” a pseudonym used for the plaintiff to protect her identity, challenged the constitutionality of the law. Roe, a pregnant woman, argued that the Texas law violated her constitutional right to privacy.

Issue: Roe v. Wade (1973)

The primary issue before the court was whether a woman’s constitutional right to privacy encompassed the decision to terminate a pregnancy, and whether the Texas statute criminalizing abortion violated that right.

Rule of Law: Roe v. Wade

The court considered the right to privacy, as protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and its application to a woman’s decision to have an abortion.

Holding and Reasoning: Roe v. Wade (1973)

The Supreme Court, in a landmark decision, held that a woman’s constitutional right to privacy includes the right to have an abortion, subject to certain limitations.

Holding: The Court, by a majority decision, held that the Texas law criminalizing abortion violated a woman’s constitutional right to privacy.

Reasoning: Justice Harry Blackmun, writing for the majority, provided the following key points of reasoning:

  • Right to Privacy: The Court recognized that the right to privacy is a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court held that this right extends to a woman’s decision to have an abortion, as it involves personal choices relating to family, marriage, procreation, and child-rearing.
  • Trimester Framework: The Court established a trimester framework to balance a woman’s right to choose with the state’s interest in protecting potential life. In the first trimester, the decision to have an abortion must be left to the woman and her doctor. In the second trimester, the state may regulate abortion to protect maternal health. In the third trimester, the state’s interest in protecting potential life becomes compelling, and it may prohibit abortions, except when necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.
  • State’s Interest in Maternal Health: The Court recognized that the state has an interest in protecting the health of pregnant women. However, it held that the Texas law’s broad criminalization of abortion throughout pregnancy was an unconstitutional infringement on a woman’s right to choose.

Concurrence and Dissent: Roe v. Wade

Justice Potter Stewart wrote a concurring opinion, expressing his view that the Constitution should not be interpreted as explicitly protecting a right to privacy but that the Texas law violated the Equal Protection Clause. Justice William H. Rehnquist dissented, arguing that the Constitution does not protect a right to abortion and that the decision should be left to the states.

Significance: Roe v. Wade (1973)

Roe v. Wade is a landmark case that established the constitutional right to abortion in the United States. The decision recognized a woman’s right to privacy in making decisions about her reproductive health. The trimester framework established by the Court has shaped subsequent abortion jurisprudence, influencing the regulation of abortion at both the state and federal levels. The case remains a contentious and significant topic in legal, political, and social debates surrounding reproductive rights.

Milo Lawson

Milo Lawson is a passionate legal professional and a valued contributor to Case Brief Examples. With a deep understanding of the law and a keen eye for detail, Milo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our platform.

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