October Term 2025 · Docket 24-781
Can a nonprofit block a subpoena for its donor lists before enforcement?
First Choice wants to block a state subpoena for its donor lists before enforcement. The state says the organization lacks standing to challenge it.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
First Choice argues the Court has long protected nonprofit membership and donor lists.
First Choice claims the subpoena chills its associational rights.
The state says the subpoena does not objectively chill First Amendment rights.
The state argues New Jersey law imposes no penalties for non-production.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-55 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-9 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 47-55 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 47-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 35-35
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
First Choice is a nonprofit. A state subpoena seeks its membership and donor lists. First Choice wants to block the subpoena before enforcement. The state disputes whether the organization has standing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 35-35
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 2, 2025.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-23
What each side wants
First Choice wants to block the subpoena before it is enforced.
The state wants the Court to deny First Choice standing.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 35-35
What each side says
First Choice argues the subpoena chills its associational rights.
The state argues the subpoena does not objectively chill First Amendment rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 35-35
What the justices asked
Justice Barrett asked whether a letter could suffice.
Justice Thomas asked what the organization must do upon receiving the subpoena. Justice Jackson asked what happens if the subpoena is invalid. Justice Kagan asked First Choice to explain the difference between its two legal theories.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-55 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-9 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 47-55 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 47-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-51
Why it matters
The outcome determines whether nonprofits can challenge subpoenas for donor lists before enforcement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 35-35
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-55 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 33-15 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 33-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 31-9 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 31-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 47-55 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 47-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-31 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-37 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 39-51
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 21-51 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 21-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-17 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 27-23 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 27-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 94, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 94, lines 35-35
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 3 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.