Significance: Expanded the right to privacy under the 14th Amendment and changed the legal landscape regarding abortion in the U.S.
Key Figures
Norma McCorvey: A single pregnant woman from Texas seeking an abortion.
Defendant: Henry Wade, the district attorney in the Texas county where McCorvey sought the abortion.
Legal Context
Texas Law: Prohibited abortions unless necessary to save the life of the mother.
McCorvey's Suit: Filed in federal court under the name Jane Roe.
Court Proceedings
Argument: Roe claimed the abortion ban was unconstitutional and sought an order to prevent Texas from enforcing the law.
District Court Ruling: Found the Texas abortion restriction unconstitutional due to vagueness and overbreadth, infringing on rights under the 9th Amendment.
Outcome: The district court did not issue an injunction to stop Texas from enforcing its ban, leaving Roe’s options unchanged in Texas.
Appeal to the Supreme Court
Reason for Appeal: Lack of injunctive relief was viewed as insufficient, leading Roe to appeal directly to the Supreme Court.