State Case Database
Search State Court Report's database of significant state supreme court decisions and pending cases. Download decisions and briefs for cases that develop state constitutional law. This is a selected database and does not include every state supreme court case. See methodology and "How to Use the State Case Database" for more information.
This database is updated monthly, although individual cases may be updated more frequently. Last updated comprehensively with cases decided through June 2025.
Featured Cases
Hoke County Board of Education v. State of North Carolina
The North Carolina Supreme Court overturned its own precedent and put an end to more than 30 years of litigation involving the funding of public education in the state.
Commonwealth v. Lee
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that mandating a life sentence, without the possibility of parole, for “felony murder” — a legal doctrine that allows someone to be prosecuted for murder for any death that occurs during the commission of a separate felony, even if the defendant never meant to kill anyone — violates the Pennsylvania Constitution’s ban on “cruel” punishments
Luther v. Hoskins
The Missouri Supreme Court rejected voters' challenge to Missouri's new congressional district map, which the plaintiffs said ran afoul of state constitutional prohibitions on mid-decade redistricting. The court said the state constitution contained no express prohibition on mid-decade redistricting and that the map was a "valid exercise" of the "plenary legislative power to establish congressional districts."
Redgrave v. Ducey
Ruled state has sovereign immunity to suit under Fair Labor Standards Act because legislature has not exercised its constitutional authority to consent to federal damages liability
State v. Bigger
Ruled statute eliminating “no fault” exception for untimely filings for post-conviction relief under Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure conflicted with court’s constitutional rulemaking authority
State v. McQueen
Ruled that an arrestee had a reasonable expectation of privacy in phone call made from police station, and warrantless seizure of the recording was unconstitutional
Leidig v. State
Ruled admission of forensic test report without giving the defendant an opportunity to cross-exam the author violated confrontation clause
Buford v. State
Ruled that defendant's consent to the search of his person included the search of a specific container on his person, and so no additional consent was required
Mayor & City Council of Ocean City v. Commissioners of Worcester County
Ruled tax set off statutes permitting counties to deny municipal tax setoff requests do not impermissibly regulate local affairs in violation of home rule amendment
State v. Amstutz
Ruled that arrest violated search and seizure clause because information available to other officers that would have created probable cause could not be imputed to arresting officer
State v. Carter
Ruled that stop based on officer's mistaken interpretation of license plate concealment statute violated state constitution's search and seizure clause even though it would not have violated federal Fourth Amendment
Sheffield v. Detroit City Clerk
Held that a governor stopping city charter revisions from being submitted to voters would conflict with constitutional clauses vesting cities with control over their charters
Myers v. Reno Cab Co.
Ruled that employee status for constitutional minimum wage amendment is determined by totality of circumstances, and provision entitling aggrieved employees to all available remedies only applies to claims under the amendment.
