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."
Duke v. State
Dissent wrote that if a defendant declines representation by a public defender, due process and right to counsel do not obligate indigent defense agency to provide funding for ancillary defense services
Thurston v. Safe Surgery Arkansas
Upheld preliminary injunction enjoining statute’s background check requirements on paid canvassers as unconstitutionally impairing initiative and referendum rights
Baddourah v. McMaster
Ruled that governor could suspend city councilman following domestic violence charges because the legislator exception to the suspension power refers to state legislators and the indictment charged a crime of moral turpitude
Woods v. Seattle's Union Gospel Mission
Ruled that employment discrimination statute exempting religious nonprofits from the definition of "employer" does not violate clause prohibiting the unequal granting of privileges and immunities
O.G. v. Superior Court of Ventura County
Ruled legislative amendment to initiative statute to prohibit transfer of minors under age 16 from juvenile to criminal court was constitutionally consistent with and furthered statute’s intent
City of Albuquerque v. SMP Properties, LLC
Ruled that whether a constitutional taking based on damage to a property occurred depends on the specific circumstances and requires a fact-finder to resolve disputed questions of fact
Doe v. La Fuente, Inc.
Ruled that federal test for employer-employee relationship also governs employee definition under state minimum wage amendment, and independent contractor statute does not remove the amendment's protections
Emerson v. Hillsborough County
Ruled that county charter amendment directing allocation of tax proceeds conflicts with state law and invalidated the tax as voters would not have approved the tax without the accompanying distribution scheme
City of Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals v. UJ-Eighty Corp.
Ruled that zoning ordinance that defined fraternities and sororities based on their relationship with university was not an unconstitutional delegation of zoning authority to the university
State v. Misch
Ruled that right to bear arms clause protects a limited right to self-defense, and statute banning large-capacity magazines is a reasonable exercise of the state's police power
