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Roe Vs Wade Research Paper

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Throughout American History there have been many court cases that have set precedents and changed laws. However may be none as recognized as the “landmark” decision of Roe vs. Wade. Roe vs. Wade was an important court case involving constitutional rights. The decision changed state law and caused political divide that still exists today. During the sexual revolution and feminist movements in the 1960’s many women were challenging state laws that made abortion illegal. In 1970 a lawsuit was filed on behalf of an anonymous pregnant Texas woman, Jane Roe, against the Dallas District Attorney Henry Wade. The law suit argued that the Texas abortion laws were unconstitutional. The lawsuit was filed by Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddington; both of whom had recently graduated from the University of Texas Law. The plaintiff was Jane Roe; a Dallas resident whose real name was Norma L. Mccorvey. She was a single woman who was pregnant. She claimed that the law that made abortion a criminal offense violated her constitutional rights. She was unable to afford to travel …show more content…

One of the other plaintiffs was Hallford, a doctor facing criminal charges for violating state abortion laws. The other plaintiff was a married couple without children, the Does. The Does were seeking an injunction against the enforcement of the laws because they were unconstitutional. The Texas Federal Court which was composed of a panel of three judges did find the law to be unconstitutional based on the Ninth Amendment. The Ninth Amendment states: The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. This Amendment has helped to establish a Constitutional right to privacy. Texas Federal Court ruled that the laws were too vague and therefore violated the Constitutional rights of the plaintiffs. Wade appealed this decision to the United States Supreme

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