The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in a significant legal battle between a network of faith-based pregnancy centers and the State of New Jersey regarding donor privacy and federal court jurisdiction.
The case, First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin, centers on a subpoena issued by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin. The state is seeking up to 10 years of internal confidential documents from the ministry, including the names, addresses, and employment information of its financial donors.
First Choice, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), contends the investigation is politically motivated. They argue the subpoena targets the organization solely because of its pro-life mission, which includes providing free ultrasounds, parenting classes, and baby supplies.
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“New Jersey’s attorney general is targeting First Choice… simply because of its pro-life views,” said ADF Senior Counsel Erin Hawley, who is scheduled to argue before the justices. “The Constitution protects First Choice and its donors from demands by a hostile state official to disclose donor identities and contact information.”
The legal question before the High Court is largely procedural but carries high stakes for civil rights litigation. When First Choice initially attempted to block the subpoena in federal court, lower courts dismissed the case, ruling that the organization must first address the matter within the state court system.
ADF attorneys are asking the Supreme Court to reverse those decisions. They argue that civil rights plaintiffs should not be forced to litigate constitutional injuries in state court before seeking relief at the federal level.
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“We’re looking forward to presenting our case to the Supreme Court and urging it to hold that First Choice has the same right to federal court as any other civil rights plaintiff,” Hawley added.
Aimee Huber, executive director of First Choice, described the state’s demands as aggressive and disruptive to their charitable operations.
“For more than two years, Attorney General Platkin has been targeting First Choice with aggressive demands for sensitive documents,” Huber said. “The government can’t harass those who support pro-life ministries just because it disagrees with their message and their mission.”
The case touches on decades of Supreme Court precedent regarding the right of non-profits to keep membership and donor lists private to prevent government retaliation.
Oral arguments are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Dec. 2. A press conference with ADF attorneys and First Choice representatives is expected to follow immediately outside the courthouse.
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