- v. Collins. Roberta Nelson and Maurice Williams are a married couple who would like to use contraceptives for family planning purposes. The use and purchase of contraceptives, however, are prohibited by the criminal laws of the state of Connecticut. 0n the other hand, contraceptive devices of various kinds are sold openly in Connecticut state pharmacies and the state has not prosecuted anyone for violating this law for more than thirty years. The plaintiffs have brought suit against Connecticut state Attorney General Gerard Collins, challenging the constitutionality of state's birth control ban and 12