Doe v. Bolton

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Court	Supreme Court of the United States
Full case name
Argued
Reargued
Submitted
Indictment
Started
Decided	January 22, 1973
Verdict
Defendant

Doe v. Bolton, 410 U.S. 179 (1973), was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States that, along with Roe v. Wade, significantly expanded the scope of abortion rights in the United States. The case challenged the constitutionality of the Georgia abortion law, which was deemed overly restrictive and infringing on a woman's right to privacy.

Background

The case was brought by "Mary Doe," a pseudonym for Sandra Cano, who was a pregnant woman seeking an abortion in Georgia. At the time, Georgia law only allowed abortions in cases of rape, severe fetal deformity, or when the life of the mother was at risk. The law also required that the procedure be performed in a hospital and approved by a committee of doctors.

Doe, represented by her attorneys, argued that the law was unconstitutional as it violated her right to privacy as protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. The case was initially heard by a three-judge panel in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, which upheld the law. Doe then appealed to the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Decision

The Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, ruled that the Georgia law was unconstitutional. Justice Harry Blackmun wrote the majority opinion, which emphasized the right to privacy and the need for a woman to have the ability to make medical decisions in consultation with her physician, free from excessive government restriction.

The Court found that the procedural requirements of the Georgia law, such as the hospital committee approval, were unduly restrictive and placed an unnecessary burden on a woman's right to choose. The decision effectively broadened the criteria under which abortions could be legally obtained, aligning with the principles established in Roe v. Wade.

Impact

Doe v. Bolton, together with Roe v. Wade, established a framework for abortion rights that emphasized the importance of a woman's right to privacy and the need for any restrictions to be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest. The decision has been a cornerstone in the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the United States.

Criticism and Controversy

The decision, like Roe v. Wade, has been subject to significant criticism and controversy. Opponents argue that it overstepped judicial boundaries and undermined states' rights to regulate medical practices. Proponents, however, view it as a critical affirmation of women's rights and personal autonomy.

Also see

• Roe v. Wade
• Planned Parenthood v. Casey
• Griswold v. Connecticut
• Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution