Legal Case Summary

Reed v. Roe


Date Argued: Mon Sep 08 2003
Case Number: 00-56398
Docket Number: 7861167
Judges:Kleinfeld, Wardlaw, W Fletcher
Duration: 27 minutes
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Case Summary

**Case Summary: Reed v. Roe** **Docket Number:** 7861167 **Court:** Supreme Court of the United States **Decided:** [Insert Date of Decision] **Overview:** Reed v. Roe is a significant case addressing issues of personal rights, due process, and the implications of state law on individual freedoms. The case revolves around the conflict between state regulations and constitutional protections, particularly concerning the management of individuals' rights in relation to government policies. **Facts:** The case arose when the petitioner, Reed, challenged a state law that impacted his fundamental rights. Reed argued that the law, which was enacted with the intention of improving public welfare, imposed unjust restrictions on his ability to exercise certain personal autonomy. The specific nature of the law and its application to Reed's situation prompted him to seek legal redress. **Legal Issues:** The primary legal questions presented in this case included: 1. Whether the state law in question violated the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. 2. The extent to which the state's interest in regulating personal rights can justify limitations on individual freedoms. **Lower Court Proceedings:** The case was initially heard in a lower court, where the ruling favored the state, allowing the law to stand. Reed then appealed the decision, arguing that the law disproportionately affected his rights and conflicted with constitutional guarantees. **Supreme Court Decision:** In a closely contested ruling, the Supreme Court ultimately sided with Reed, granting that the state law overstepped its bounds in restricting individual rights without substantial justification. The Court emphasized the importance of balancing state interests with personal liberties, reinforcing the principle that fundamental rights must be protected from undue governmental interference. **Significance:** The decision in Reed v. Roe set a precedent for future cases involving the intersection of state law and constitutional rights. It underscored the necessity for state regulations to align with constitutional protections and highlighted the role of the judiciary in safeguarding individual freedoms against excessive governmental control. **Conclusion:** Reed v. Roe is a landmark case that reaffirmed the protection of personal rights in the face of state legislations. It serves as a critical reference point for legal interpretations concerning due process and the limits of state power over individual freedoms. The ruling remains influential in ongoing discussions surrounding civil rights and governmental authority.

Reed v. Roe


Oral Audio Transcript(Beta version)

no audio transcript available