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 March 2025.
Featured Cases
Republican National Committee v. Eternal Vigilance Action, Inc; Georgia v. Eternal Vigilance Action
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled invalid under state nondelegation principles four of seven rules passed by the Georgia State Election board, while upholding one rule. The court did not decide the validity of two other rules, holding that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the provisions.
Planned Parenthood of Montana v. State (Planned Parenthood 1)
Montana Supreme Court held that a 20-week abortion ban; restrictions on medication abortions, including a telehealth ban and 24-hour waiting period; and requirement that providers give patients an opportunity to view an ultrasound and listen to a fetal heartbeat violate the express right to privacy in the state constitution.
Care and Prevention of Eve
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that department of children and families violated the state constitution's free exercise of religion protection when it vaccinated a child temporarily in its custody over the religious objections of her parents. Parents who have temporarily lost custody of their children retain a residual right to direct their religious upbringing, and the state must demonstrate that allowing the child to remain unvaccinated would substantially hinder the department’s compelling interest in the vaccination.
Held v. Montana
Held that Montana’s policy of excluding greenhouse gas emissions and related climate impacts from environmental reviews of fossil fuel projects violated the state constitution’s guarantee of a clean and healthful environment.
Sellers v. People
The Colorado Supreme Court rejected claims that the life-without-parole sentence of a man convicted of felony murder violated the federal Eighth Amendment or Colorado's constitutional cognate
Jacobs v. City of Columbia Heights
Held that a recall petition failed to allege the necessary grounds for a recall election under the Minnesota Constitution
Pima County. v. State
Held that taxes levied to pay for desegregation expenses, which are subject to the Arizona Constitution's one percent limit on residential property taxes, are not "primary property taxes"
T.F. and B.F. v. Kettle Moraine School District
Trial court held that district's policy of permitting and affirming student requests to transition to a different gender identity at school, without parental consent, violates parents' fundamental due process right to make healthcare decisions for their children. Court relied on expert testimony that living a "double life" with different gender identities at home and at school is "'inherently psychologically unhealthy'" for children.
Wygant v. Lee
The Tennessee Supreme Court will consider a lawsuit brought by voters challenging state house districts passed by the legislature in 2022. The plaintiffs contend that the districts violate a state constitutional provision barring districts from dividing counties. The defendants argue that the court does not have the power to resolve the claims because such challenges are purely political questions to be left to the legislature.
People v. Loew
Held that a presiding judge’s ex parte communications to the prosecutor did not violate defendant's constitutional rights
Tatum v. Commissioner of Corrections
Held that a new constitutional rule of criminal procedure applies retroactively under certain conditions and principles regarding the admissibility of eyewitness identification evidence apply retroactively
State v. Diole
Held that subjecting incompetent defendants to a determination of whether they committed the acts charged without a jury trial, the protections of medical privilege, and the safeguards of the rules of evidence did not violate due process and equal protection
Planned Parenthood of Montana v. State of Montana (Planned Parenthood 2)
Ruled that minors have a fundamental right to privacy and do not have to seek parental permission to get an abortion in the state.
