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."
International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 50 v. The City of Peoria
Held a local ordinance exceeded the city's home rule authority when it defined terms in a state law inconsistently with how the state supreme court had previously construed those terms
Department of Administration v. Retired Public Employees of Alaska, Inc.
Ruled retired state employee option to purchase dental insurance is a benefit constitutionally protected from diminishment
M.S.S. v. J.E.B.
Dissent would have held that substantive due process requires a hearing on the termination of parental rights before a court can order a non-consensual adoption
State v. Katz
Held that a law criminalizing the non-consensual distribution of an 'intimate image' does not violate speech protections
Adams v. DeWine
Invalidated congressional district map as violating the state constitution's redistricting provisions
Shefa v. Ellison
Held that a law requiring unanimous votes by the Board of Pardons did not violate constitutional provisions related to pardons or separation of powers
State v. Peoples
Held the warrantless search of the home of a person on probation did not violate the right to privacy or prohibition on unreasonable searches
State v. Wright
Held that arrest for a suspected traffic violation by a volunteer officer not authorized to make such an arrest violated the prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures
Citizens for Fair Rates & the Environment v. New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
Rejected claims that law allowing public utilities to recover the costs of transitioning to renewable energy violates due process, prohibitions on impairing contract rights, and other constitutional provisions
State v. Comer
Held that juvenile defendants subject to mandatory lengthy sentences for homicide convictions are entitled to petition for a review of their sentence after serving 20 years in prison
