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."
People v. Gordon
Ruled that to search vehicles located outside defendant's residence, search and seizure clause requires that a warrant refer to the vehicles with particularity
Clark Fork Coalition v. Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
Ruled that statute providing for only limited review of surface water degradation risk before issuance of water use permit did not violate right to a clean and healthful environment
Grisham v. Romero
Ruled that Secretary of Health's emergency order restricting indoor dining was not an unconstitutional exercise of legislative powers in the context of the public health crisis
Fay v. Merrill
Ruled governor’s executive order to add Covid-19 as a new reason for requesting an absentee ballot did not violate constitution’s absentee ballot clause
State v. Lee
Ruled that evidence of a separate, independent crime after an illegal entry should not have been suppressed under constitution's search and seizure clause
Schires v. Carlat
Ruled city’s payment of public funds to induce private university to open branch campus violated gift clause where funds were disproportionate to the bargained-for benefits from university
State ex rel. Dickey v. Besler
Ruled that challenge to governor's appointment of a judge as untimely was nonjusticiable as the only other official with appointment power, the chief justice, accepted the appointment
State v. Thompson
Ruled that statute, as applied to prohibit a represented party from filing pro se supplemental briefs on appeal, does not violate separation of powers doctrine
Rozenblit v. Lyles
Ruled that agreement between school district and education association authorizing teachers to work on the association's business does not violate gift clause requiring public money is used for public purposes
State v. Halverson
Ruled that self-incrimination clause does not support per se rule treating all incarcerated individuals as "in custody"
