(The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that involves a New Jersey crisis pregnancy center, part of a high-profile debate that could test the limits of First Amendment rights including freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
The Supreme Court justices decided to review an appeal that was filed from First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a “pro-life and faith-driven” nonprofit that was accused by New Jersey Democratic Attorney General Matthew Platkin in 2023 of misleading its patients. Platkin is seeking the group’s donor information.
“The First Amendment protects First Choice’s right to freely speak about its beliefs, exercise its faith, associate with like-minded individuals and organizations, and continue to provide its free services in a caring and compassionate environment to people facing unplanned pregnancies,” Erin Hawley, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel, said in a statement.
Fox News reported that Platkin “sought records over allegations the pregnancy centers might be misleading women about offering abortion services.”
“New Jersey’s attorney general is targeting First Choice – a ministry that provides parenting classes, free ultrasounds, baby clothes, and more to its community – simply because of its pro-life views,” Hawley said.
The decision to hear the case came after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, prompting multiple states to place restrictions on or even ban abortions, while other states made the decision to protect abortion rights.
First Choice and other crisis pregnancy centers offer women a range of services, including pregnancy tests and counseling. They oppose abortion and encourage pregnant women to choose alternatives to ending a pregnancy.
Alliance Defending Freedom is a conservative and Christian legal advocacy group that is representing First Choice at the upcoming hearing.
The case is set to be heard in October.
