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30-Second Take

• The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a faith-based pregnancy center in New Jersey.
• The center is challenging a 2023 subpoena by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin seeking donor, advertisement, and medical personnel information.
• The case revolves around First Amendment rights and the center’s allegations of harassment by the state attorney general.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a faith-based, pro-life pregnancy center in New Jersey, has been embroiled in a legal battle with the state’s attorney general. The center provides free services such as ultrasounds and baby clothes to women facing unwanted pregnancies, aiming to steer them away from abortion.

Core Players

• First Choice Women’s Resource Centers – Faith-based, pro-life pregnancy center in New Jersey.
• Matthew J. Platkin – Attorney General of New Jersey.
• Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) – Legal organization representing First Choice Women’s Resource Centers.

Key Numbers

• 2023: Year the subpoena was issued by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
• January 21, 2025: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed with the Supreme Court.
• June 16, 2025: Supreme Court agrees to hear the appeal.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The dispute began when New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin issued a subpoena in 2023, seeking detailed information about the center’s donors, advertisements, and medical personnel. First Choice Women’s Resource Centers argues that this subpoena is an attempt to harass and intimidate them due to their pro-life stance.

“The U.S. Constitution protects First Choice and its donors from unjustified demands for their identities,” said Erin Hawley, Senior Counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom.

Inside Forces

The center challenged the subpoena in federal court but was directed to pursue its claims in state court first. This decision led the center to appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that civil rights plaintiffs should not have to litigate challenges to investigations in state court before bringing federal claims.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, representing the center, contends that the lower courts have wrongly relegated First Choice to state court to present its constitutional claims.

Power Dynamics

The case highlights the power dynamics between state officials and faith-based organizations. State attorneys general, like Matthew Platkin, have significant authority to issue investigative demands, which can be used to target ideological opponents. The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the appeal could set a precedent for how such demands are handled in the future.

Outside Impact

The broader implications of this case extend beyond First Choice Women’s Resource Centers. It could influence how other faith-based and pro-life organizations interact with state authorities and how they protect their First Amendment rights. The outcome may also affect the balance of power between state attorneys general and civil rights plaintiffs.

Consumer and civil rights groups are closely watching the case, concerned about the potential for state officials to misuse their investigative powers.

Future Forces

The Supreme Court’s decision will be crucial in determining the future of similar cases. Here are some key areas to watch:

• The standard for when civil rights plaintiffs can bring federal claims against state investigations.
• The protection of donor identities and the privacy of faith-based organizations.
• The limits on state attorneys general’s authority to issue investigative demands.

Data Points

• December 12, 2024: Decision date in the lower court (United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit).
• January 21, 2025: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed with the Supreme Court.
• February 24, 2025: Briefs amicus curiae and respondent’s brief in opposition filed.
• June 16, 2025: Supreme Court agrees to hear the appeal.