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."
Woo v. El Paso County Sheriff's Office
Ruled statutory bar on prisoner’s suit to reclaim lawfully seized property did not violate procedural due process rights because post-sentence remedy is available in criminal case to recover property
Washington State Council of County & City Employees v. City of Spokane
Ruled municipal ordinance requiring collective bargaining between the city and union representatives be open to the public conflicted with state law
State v. Yerkey
Ruled victim’s lost wages due to trial attendance were not compensable as restitution under Ohio Constitution’s victims’ rights amendment
State v. Beaver
Upheld law providing parents public funds to use on private education as not violating the constitution's commitment to public education
State v. Colgrove
Upheld statute barring defendant who pleads guilty or no contest from appealing the conviction judgment entered by the trial court because it does not affect court’s adjudicative functions
Black v. Bureau of Parks & Lands
Ruled Bureau of Parks and Lands can lease land to utility transmission lines without engaging in a public administrative process under constitution’s public-lands provision
State v. Moeser
Ruled officer’s signing of affidavit for a warrant while not under oath satisfied constitution's oath or affirmation requirement which does not require a specific procedure for the administration of the oath
Matthews v. The Industrial Commission of Arizona
Ruled statute limiting workers’ compensation claims for mental illnesses to those arising from unusual or extraordinary situations does not violate workers' compensation and equal protection clauses
State v. Qinxuan Pan
Ruled defendant in bail modification hearing was not constitutionally entitled to affordable bail and extremely high bond amount was reasonable under the circumstances
Ammons v. State
Ruled that the constitution protects the right to refuse to perform breath and sobriety tests, and evidence of refusals cannot be used at trial
