U.S. Supreme Court deliberates key abortion rights case

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday in a case involving abortion rights. Now, many around the nation are curious to see how the highest court will rule in the matter.

The Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Mississippi, the last abortion clinic in the state, is at the center of this case.

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the clinic is challenging a state law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion rights advocates and supporters are concerned because if the Supreme Court upholds the Mississippi state law, it will reverse a precedent that keeps states from interfering with abortion rights at that stage.

This ruling could have greater implications on abortion rights, potentially leading to an opportunity to overturn Roe V. Wade. This historic 1973 decision legalized abortion nationwide before viability, which is around 24 weeks.

Depending on the ruling, this court case could also lead to many states banning abortion completely.

Eleven states have already enacted a measure that would automatically ban abortion if or when Roe v. Wade is overturned, without a special legislative session, reports the Texas Tribune.

Some states have also already implemented strict laws to limit abortions and abortion access.

This week, the nine justices will gather alone in a conference room and go over the case and explain their vote and reasoning.

Then the senior justice in the majority and minority will choose who writes the opinion, which can take months as several drafts are completed. Justices can also change their vote during the process but it rarely happens.

The Supreme Court currently has a conservative majority of justices.

During nearly two hours of arguments on Wednesday, conservative justices questioned whether the future of abortion rights should be reviewed. While the three liberal justices argued nothing has changed since the original 1973 ruling.

Meanwhile, protesters on both sides demonstrated outside the Supreme Court. Many held signs, chanted and listened to guest speakers.

It generally takes the highest court about three months to issue a decision after an argument.

A decision on this abortion case is not expected until late June or early July, which is typically when major rulings come out.

(CGTN)