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."
McDonald v. Jacobsen
Ruled that a legislative referendum requiring that supreme court justices be elected by district, rather than statewide, violates the state constitution
NECEC Transmission LLC v. Bureau of Parks & Lands
Ruled legislation retroactively applied to construction project violates due process if developer had acquired constitutionally protected vested rights to proceed with project
State v. Collins
Ruled second degree harassment statute is not unconstitutionally overbroad so long as it applies to a limited core of unprotected conduct and communication
Lyons v. Secretary of the Commonwealth
Ruled legislature’s power to expand early voting options was not limited by constitution’s absentee ballot provision, rejected free speech and secret ballot claims
Malvo v. State
Dissent would have ruled a juvenile sentence of life without parole is constitutional and state prohibition against of cruel or unusual punishment provides no greater protection than the Eighth Amendment
Anderson v. State
Ruled courts may exercise constitutional jurisdiction over habeas petitions notwithstanding statute’s requirement to exhaust administrative remedies of New Mexico Corrections Dept.
Under the Rainbow Early Education Center v. County of Goodhue
Ruled early childhood education center is a tax-exempt seminary of learning under the constitution
Spiegel v. Board of Education of Howard County
Held rules for qualification and selection of student member to county board of education do not violate Maryland Constitution’s election requirements and Declaration of Rights
Prickett v. State
Ruled defendant's constitutional right to be present at trial was not violated when counsel conferred with court during bench conferences out of defendant’s presence
State v. Pizzuto
Ruled statute allowing governor to reject Idaho Commission of Pardon and Parole clemency recommendations is constitutional expression of legislature’s authority over Commission
