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.
State v. Bigger
Ruled statute eliminating “no fault” exception for untimely filings for post-conviction relief under Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure conflicted with court’s constitutional rulemaking authority
State v. McQueen
Ruled that an arrestee had a reasonable expectation of privacy in phone call made from police station, and warrantless seizure of the recording was unconstitutional
Mayor & City Council of Ocean City v. Commissioners of Worcester County
Ruled tax set off statutes permitting counties to deny municipal tax setoff requests do not impermissibly regulate local affairs in violation of home rule amendment
Leidig v. State
Ruled admission of forensic test report without giving the defendant an opportunity to cross-exam the author violated confrontation clause
Buford v. State
Ruled that defendant's consent to the search of his person included the search of a specific container on his person, and so no additional consent was required
State v. Amstutz
Ruled that arrest violated search and seizure clause because information available to other officers that would have created probable cause could not be imputed to arresting officer
State v. Carter
Ruled that stop based on officer's mistaken interpretation of license plate concealment statute violated state constitution's search and seizure clause even though it would not have violated federal Fourth Amendment
State v. Wright
Held that a warrantless search of a citizen's trash left out for collection violates the state constitution
Edwards v. Thomas
Held that the Child Passenger Protection Act does not violate the separation of powers doctrine of the state constitution
Sheffield v. Detroit City Clerk
Held that a governor stopping city charter revisions from being submitted to voters would conflict with constitutional clauses vesting cities with control over their charters
