The US Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Wednesday that an anti-abortion pregnancy center can challenge a New Jersey subpoena seeking donor information, citing First Amendment rights. The justices revived a federal lawsuit brought by First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, which operates five locations in the state and seeks to steer women away from having abortions.
Key Takeaways
The US Supreme Court ruled unanimously that an anti-abortion pregnancy center can challenge a New Jersey subpoena seeking donor information, citing First Amendment rights.
- The court revived a federal lawsuit by First Choice Women’s Resource Centers
- Ruling focused on procedural question of where case should be heard
- Decision does not address merits of whether centers engaged in deceptive practices
The case centered on whether First Choice had the legal basis to bring its constitutional challenge in federal court or if it should continue litigating in state court. The ruling, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, held that the subpoena threatened the organization’s right to association, giving First Choice standing to sue.
The decision did not address whether the facilities acted deceptively or the merits of the case. It focused solely on procedural questions. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin issued a 2023 subpoena seeking information from First Choice as part of an investigation into potential deception of donors and clients.
The ruling is seen as a win for anti-abortion advocates, setting a precedent that these centers can challenge state regulations in federal court. The case will now be sent back to lower courts where First Choice can argue the merits. This decision comes after the Supreme Court’s 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.
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