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."
Godfrey v. State
Ruled that official who refused to resign following change in gubernatorial administration has no procedural or substantive due process right in continuing his salary at a particular level
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Inc. v. Reynolds
Ruled that statute prohibiting abortion providers from participating in educational grant programs directed at reducing teenage pregnancy and promoting abstinence has a rational basis and so satisfies equal protection clause
Doe v. Brown University
Ruled that constitutional clause protecting against state discrimination by reason of race, gender or handicap does not create a private right of action
State v. Staker
Ruled that defendant has no reasonable expectation of privacy in text messages sent to an undercover agent posing as a sex worker, and so rights to privacy and to be free from unreasonable searches are not violated
Poudre School District R-1 v. Stanczyk
Ruled local school boards’ constitutional authority over teacher employment decisions is not unlimited and may be restricted by statutory criteria or judicial review
Harvey v. Merchan
Ruled that statute allowing time-barred civil claims for childhood sexual abuse to be revived does not violate prohibition on retroactive laws or defendants' due process or equal protection rights
VanWinkle v. Sage
Ruled proposed ballot initiative to revise animal cruelty statute to expand definitions of animal cruelty and sexual act with an animal violated single-subject requirement
Gilliam v. State
Ruled that precedent in which court exercised jurisdiction with no constitutional or statutory basis, but in the interest of judicial economy, was inconsistent with constitution's jurisdictional provisions
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement v. State
Ruled that suit seeking to force state officials to require farmers to reduce chemical levels in a river should be dismissed for lack of standing and nonjusticiability under separation of powers
Anthony A. v. Commissioner of Corrections
Ruled prisoner’s sex offender classification violated state constitution's criminal due process clause and procedural but not substantive due process rights of the prisoner
