New Jersey Loses Supreme Court Case Where Attorney General Used Subpoenas to Battle Abortion Critics in 9-0 Vote

Newark, NJ — A U.S. Supreme Court ruling rooted in a New Jersey legal fight is reshaping how nonprofits across the state can respond to government investigations, allowing them to challenge subpoenas in federal court before they are enforced. The decision in First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Davenport stems from a dispute involving New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, whose office issued subpoenas in 2023 seeking records—including donor information—from a nonprofit operating crisis pregnancy centers. The organization argued the requests threatened its First Amendment rights by potentially exposing supporters and chilling speech. Lower courts initially blocked the case from moving forward in federal court. The Supreme Court reversed that path. What changed for New Jersey groups The ruling means New Jersey nonprofits no longer have to wait for the state to formally enforce a subpoena before going to federal court. That shift could have immediate impact for advocacy organizations, charities, and political nonprofits operating in the state—especially those engaged in contentious or high-profile issues. “This is about making sure organizations have a real chance to defend themselves before damage is done,” ACLU officials said in response to the ruling. Donor privacy at the center At the heart of the