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."
State v. Benton
Ruled that a possible confidential informant was a state agent when questioning defendant, thus violating defendant's right to counsel
State v. Johnson
Overruled precedent that permitted defendants in camera review of victim’s medical records, in part because of new victim’s rights constitutional provision
State v. Rivers
Declined to hold that there is greater protection of the right to a jury drawn from fair cross section of the community under the state constitution than the federal constitution
Chevron U.S.A. v. Monterey County
Struck down local ordinance prohibiting coastal oil drilling and fracking activities as preempted by state law
State v. Watson
Held that first-time in-court identifications can be conducted only if there is “good reason”
Draper v. Gentry
Held that defendants are permitted discovery from victims if defendant seeks evidence of “constitutional dimension” and the requested discovery is “very likely” to contain such evidence
People v. Posey
Held that law requiring appellate courts to affirm all criminal sentences fitting within the legislature's sentencing guidelines violated the right to appeal
Planned Parenthood v. South Carolina
Held that abortion ban does not violate the constitution’s right to privacy or guarantees of equal protection or due process
June Medical Services v. Landry
Plaintiffs claim that abortion bans violate the state constitution’s guarantee of due process and prohibition on unlawful delegation of legislative authority
State v. Hacker
Ruled that law requiring indefinite sentences for certain offenses, with minimum and maximum prison terms, does not violate constitution's separation of powers, jury right, or due process clauses
