Final answer:
Stare decisis is a legal doctrine that tells courts to follow precedent, ensuring consistency in the law. In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the Supreme Court applied stare decisis to affirm Roe v. Wade's core holding while adjusting its framework, establishing the undue burden test for abortion regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stare Decisis and Planned Parenthood v. Casey
Stare decisis is a legal principle that means courts should follow historical cases when making a ruling on a similar case. Stare decisis ensures legal consistency and predictability, so that similar cases are decided in similar ways. This principle is fundamental in the U.S. common law system, contributing to the stability of the legal system by respecting precedents.
In the Planned Parenthood of Southern Pennsylvania v. Casey case, the Supreme Court of the United States reaffirmed the core holding of Roe v. Wade but rejected its trimester framework. Instead, the Court introduced the undue burden test for determining the constitutionality of state abortion regulations; thereby upholding several Pennsylvania state restrictions while striking down others that placed a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion.
This case is a notable example of stare decisis in action, as the Court preserved the essence of an established right while permitting its scope to be adjusted in accordance with a new standard it set forth. The Casey ruling thus played a pivotal role in shaping the contemporary landscape of abortion laws and regulations in the United States.