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.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Inc. v. Reynolds
Ruled that statute prohibiting abortion providers from participating in educational grant programs directed at reducing teenage pregnancy and promoting abstinence has a rational basis and so satisfies equal protection clause
Doe v. Brown University
Ruled that constitutional clause protecting against state discrimination by reason of race, gender or handicap does not create a private right of action
State v. Staker
Ruled that defendant has no reasonable expectation of privacy in text messages sent to an undercover agent posing as a sex worker, and so rights to privacy and to be free from unreasonable searches are not violated
Poudre School District R-1 v. Stanczyk
Ruled local school boards’ constitutional authority over teacher employment decisions is not unlimited and may be restricted by statutory criteria or judicial review
Harvey v. Merchan
Ruled that statute allowing time-barred civil claims for childhood sexual abuse to be revived does not violate prohibition on retroactive laws or defendants' due process or equal protection rights
Gilliam v. State
Ruled that precedent in which court exercised jurisdiction with no constitutional or statutory basis, but in the interest of judicial economy, was inconsistent with constitution's jurisdictional provisions
VanWinkle v. Sage
Ruled proposed ballot initiative to revise animal cruelty statute to expand definitions of animal cruelty and sexual act with an animal violated single-subject requirement
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement v. State
Ruled that suit seeking to force state officials to require farmers to reduce chemical levels in a river should be dismissed for lack of standing and nonjusticiability under separation of powers
Anthony A. v. Commissioner of Corrections
Ruled prisoner’s sex offender classification violated state constitution's criminal due process clause and procedural but not substantive due process rights of the prisoner
Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government Waste Management District v. Jefferson County League of Cities, Inc.
Ruled that statute giving cities in a county with a consolidated local government additional rights with resect to waste management districts violated clause requiring legislation treat all cities equally