By Faith Bell, Michael Gardner, and Jacob Areford Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) By Faith Bell, Michael Gardner, and Jacob Areford

What is the constitutional issue involved in the case? Roe v. Wade is a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. It was decided simultaneously with a companion case, Doe v. Bolten.

Who were the parties involved in the case? The Supreme Court agrees to hear the case filed by Norma McCorvey, known in court documents as Jane Roe, against Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County from 1951 to 1987, who enforced a Texas law that prohibited abortion, except to save a woman's life.

When and where did the case take place? Took place in 1973. The location is Texas.

What events lead up to the case going before the Supreme Court? She wanted to have an abortion, but Texas abortion law made it a felony to abort a fetus unless “on medical advice for the purpose of saving the life of the mother.” Roe filed suit against Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas to challenge the law outlawing abortion.

What was the Supreme Court’s ruling / decision? The Court ruled 7–2 that a right to privacy under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment extended to a woman's decision to have an abortion, but that this right must be balanced against the state's interests in regulating abortions: protecting women's health and protecting the potentiality of human life.[1] Arguing that these state interests became stronger over the course of a pregnancy, the Court resolved this balancing test by tying state regulation of abortion to the third trimester of pregnancy.

What was the reasoning given by the Supreme Court for making their decision? The Court issued its decision on January 22, 1973, with a 7-to-2 majority vote in favor of Roe. The Court deemed abortion a fundamental right under the United States Constitution, thereby subjecting all laws attempting to restrict it to the standard of strict scrutiny.

How do you feel about the ruling? Why? I feel abortion should be illegal to an extent. Before 4 weeks should be okay but after should be illegal because the baby has a heart beat and you made a decision to have unprotected relations with your partner.