Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt (2016)

Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt was our winter 2016 SCOTUS in the Classroom case.  

Each SCOTUS Term, Street Law selects the most classroom-relevant, student-friendly cases as our SCOTUS in the Classroom cases. Teachers are encouraged to hold moot courts or mini-moot courts of the case the same weeks that the Supreme Court hears arguments, giving students the opportunity to follow discussion and analysis in the news and listen to or read a transcript of the actual oral arguments at the Court. 

Case Summary and Activities:

• To download the case summary, use the add to cart button above. 
• Applying Precedents Activity
• Deliberation Materials

Case Issue: 

Do Texas's new abortion restrictions violate the Constitution?

Case Briefs:

• Brief of Petitioner: Whole Woman's Health
• Brief of Respondent: Texas
• Amicus Brief: United States
• Additional amici available on SCOTUSblog's case page

Oral Argument:

• Audio recording and transcript of the oral argument from the Supreme Court

Decision:

• Link to the opinion of the Court

News Articles and Resources:

• SCOTUSblog: Justices Enter the Fray with grant in Texas abortion case
• New York Times: Supreme Court to Hear Texas Abortion Case
• Washington Post: Key Cases Facing the Supreme Court after Justice Scalia's Death
• SCOTUSblog: A view from the courtroom
• New York Times: Supreme Court Appears Sharply Divided as It Hears Texas Abortion Case
• Washington Post: Supreme Court hears arguments on Texas abortion-clinics case

How to Conduct a Moot Court or a Mini-Moot Court:

• Classroom Guide to Moot Courts
• Mini-Moot Courts Resource Bundle and Video 

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Additional details:

• All Street Law Case Summaries include case facts, issues, relevant constitutional provisions/statutes/precedents, arguments for each side, and decision. They have been reviewed by both legal experts and educators and are ready for classroom use. 
• Format: downloadable .pdf and Word .docx (You must create an account and "check out" to download free resources. You will not be required to provide payment information.)
• © 2016 Street Law, Inc. Free for non-commercial educational use. Permissions questions? Email [email protected]
• The Supreme Court Historical Society is our longstanding partner in the development of U.S. Supreme Court-themed classroom resources.   
• Learn more about Street Law's commitment and approach to quality curriculum.