This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Missouri law required the prior written consent of the spouse of a woman seeking an abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy unless the abortion was certified by a licensed physician as necessary to preserve the life of the mother. Danforth (P) opposed that law.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.