Supreme Court Hears Pregnancy Center Subpoena Case

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether a faith-based pregnancy resource center in New Jersey can challenge a state subpoena in federal court, amid an investigation into its practices related to abortion counseling. The case, involving First Choice Women's Resource Centers, centers on a November 2023 subpoena from New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin seeking donor names and other records to determine if the organization misrepresented its services to donors and the public.

First Choice, which operates five centers offering free prenatal care and support to encourage carrying pregnancies to term, sued in federal court shortly after receiving the subpoena. The nonprofit argued that the demand infringed on its First Amendment rights to free speech and association, claiming it stemmed from retaliation against its anti-abortion stance. Lower federal courts dismissed the suit, ruling that the challenge was not yet "ripe" for review because no court had ordered compliance with the subpoena. An appeals court upheld that decision, prompting First Choice to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The justices are not weighing the merits of the First Amendment claims but...