Roe v. Wade

This section allows readers to investigate the facts, the arguments, and the legal reasoning that produced the Roe v. Wade decision. It also sheds light on the roles and required skills of attorneys and judges in resolving disputes.

As you read this section, you may wish to consider the following issues:

• How did the appellant's description of the issues before the Court, or questions presented, differ from the appellee's descriptions?
• How did the courts and the two parties differ in describing the meaning of particular prior cases to the present case?
• How did the holdings (conclusions of law) of the district court differ from those of the Supreme Court?
• On what points in the Supreme Court's majority opinion do the concurring and dissenting justices agree and disagree?
• How would you decide this case?