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."
Walker v. Chasteen
Held that the refund claim of unconstitutionally added-on filing fees for mortgage foreclosure complaints was a retrospective monetary award to redress a past wrong, which fell under the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims, not the circuit court
State v. Warren
Held that the right to confrontation enshrined in the New Hampshire constitution would be violated by permitting a child victim to testify from outside the courtroom via a one-way video feed
Stefanik v. Hochul
Upheld New York's universal early mail voting law. The state high court disagreed that a state constitutional clause expressly authorizing absentee voting for specific categories of people should be interpreted to prevent mail-in voting by all others, based on the presumption of constitutionality for state laws, the constitutional history, and another clause allowing the legislature to authorize the "method" of elections.
State ex. rel. Raúl Torrez v. Board of County Commissioners for Lea County
New Mexico Supreme Court granted mandamus and prohibited enforcement of local ordinances that sought to restrict access to abortion services by expressly incorporating the federal Comstock Act, holding the ordinances are preempted by state statutes.
O’Halloran v. Sec. of State
Michigan Supreme Court held that certain instructions for election challengers and poll watchers issued by the secretary of state in 2022 largely comply with the state’s election law and administrative procedures act, finding only limited statutory violations.
In re Dallas County
Upheld, in a unanimous opinion, a 2023 law creating a new court of appeals that has exclusive statewide jurisdiction over intermediate appeals in most matters brought against the state and challenges to a state law’s constitutionality when the attorney general is a party.
People v. Neilly
Held that defendants who are convicted but have been given reprieve from life-without-parole sentences because their crimes were committed as teenagers can still be required to pay restitution costs.
Borgelt v. Austin Firefighters Association
Held that provision of collective bargaining agreement authorizing union members to conduct certain union-related activities does not violate the state constitution's Gift Clause
State v. Bauler
Plurality holds that the state constitution's search and seizure provision was not violated when a K-9 handler and his trained canine momentarily made contact with the exterior of a vehicle during a dog sniff
Askew v. City of Kinston
Held that plaintiffs bringing direct actions under the state constitution are not required to exhaust administrative remedies before filing suit.
