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 August 2025.
Featured Cases
McDougle v. Scott
Virginia Supreme Court, in a split decision, nullified a constitutional amendment approved by voters that would have redrawn the state's congressional districts, finding the legislative process used for the amendment violated the state constitution
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
Coleman v. Board of Education
Kentucky Supreme Court held that a statute restructuring the relationship between a county's board of education and its school superintendent violated a prohibition against special or local legislation, modifying the court's prior decision upholding the law
Stewart v. Ramczyk
Held that New Mexico’s Speech and Debate Clause grants legislators immunity for legitimate legislative acts, regardless of motive
State v. Zarella
Held that in-camera review of confidential or privileged private records requires a compelling justification and proof the information cannot be obtained elsewhere
State v. Labrum
Held that due process permits refiling of criminal charges previously dismissed for insufficient evidence if refiling was not done in bad faith or to harass the defendant
Knight v. Fontes
Arizona Supreme Court held the retention election process for intermediate appellate judges does not violate the "free and equal" elections clause or equal privileges and immunities provision
McVay v. Cockroft
Oklahoma Supreme Court will consider whether a law making it harder for citizen initiative petitions to qualify for the ballot violates citizens' state constitutional initiative, free speech, and equal protection rights
Stewart v. Rosenblum
Illinois Supreme Court held statutes providing for pretrial release did not unduly infringe any inherent judicial authority to indefinitely detain pretrial a defendant who repeatedly failed to appear
Preterm-Cleveland v. Yost
Plaintiffs claimed that the state's six-week abortion ban violates the fundamental right of individual liberty, as well as equal protection and due process guarantees
Jackson v. Florida
Florida Supreme Court upheld a 2023 law that permits eligible defendants to be sentenced to death on the recommendation of only 8 of 12 jurors
Hawaii v. Zuffante
Hawaii Supreme Court held state due process clause requires law enforcement to record in-station custodial interrogations and, when feasible, out-of-station, as a necessary procedural safeguard for multiple rights, including to a fair trial
