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.
Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County v. Tennessee Department of Education
Ruled that a program redirecting money from local public school systems directly to some students to pay for private school tuition did not violate home rule provision
City of Baytown v. Schrock
Concurrence emphasized the protections provided by the state takings clause, but agreed that property damage due to civil enforcement of an ordinance is not enough to sustain a regulatory takings claim
State v. McAlpin
Dissent would have held that defendants have a constitutional right to hybrid representation, in which defendant and defense counsel share responsibilities
City of Wells Fargo v. McAllister
Held that the constitution's "quick take" takings provision allowing the government to acquire a right of way over private properties applies to a sewage project, not only roads and highways
State v. Morel-Vargas
Ruled defense counsel's representation that the defendant waived his right to testify, together with the defendant's silence, satisfied constitutional requirement for a valid waiver
Hicks v. 2021 Hawaii Reapportionment Commission
Held that the reapportionment commission satisfied redistricting provisions even though the plan does not meet every guideline because it considered those guidelines alongside other policy objectives
Aguirre v. Elko County Sheriff's Office
Held that there is no civil forfeiture exception to the constitution's homestead exemption and public policy does not support the creation of such an exception
Benson v. McKee
Evaluated the legislature's constitutional authority to enact legislation protecting abortion access, but dismissed the case on standing grounds
Murphy v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
Held that the Chief Judge's pandemic-era administrative tolling order, concerning the timeliness of complaints, did not violate separation of powers or unconstitutionally suspend laws
Harkenrider v. Hochul
Held that congressional and state senate reapportionment plans failed to follow constitutional process and district lines were drawn with unconstitutional partisan intent
