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
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 found 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"
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
Ellingson v. State
Montana Supreme Court will consider if a law changing requirements for citizen-proposed ballot measures infringes on the powers of initiative and referendum and the applicable standard for such challenges
Jennings v. Smith
Alabama Supreme Court held that it is legal for police to arrest a person for refusing to show ID during a stop if officers are not satisfied with answers the individual provides about their name and address
Brunett v. West Virginia Professional Charter School Board
West Virginia Supreme Court halted pending appeal a trial court's injunction against a 2021 law authorizing a state board to approve charter schools without local voter consent
Missouri State Conference of the NAACP v. State
Missouri Supreme Court held that voters and advocacy organizations lacked standing to challenge the constitutionality of Missouri’s strict photo ID requirements
League of Women Voters of Missouri v. State
The Missouri Supreme Court permanently enjoined legislation criminalizing third-party voter registration and voter-engagement activities, affirming a lower court decision that the restrictions violated core political speech
Committee for Public Counsel Services v. Middlesex and Suffolk County District Courts
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that, given legislative and other measures to address a shortage of indigent defense counsel, there were not extraordinary circumstances that would justify the judiciary ordering a rate increase for attorneys accepting such representations
In re Interest of K.N., K.L., K.L., and K.L
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services seeks termination of parental rights following credible reports of child abuse and neglect of four children. The Texas Supreme Court has asked for supplemental briefing about the impact on the case of the 2024 parental rights state constitutional amendment
Wisconsin Voter Alliance v. Secord
Wisconsin Supreme Court will consider whether notices to election officials of a court's determination that a person is "incompetent" to vote are subject to disclosure under the state's public records law
McDougle v. Nardo
Virginia Supreme Court permitted legislature's proposed amendment to redraw the state’s congressional map to proceed to a vote, while it considers appeal of trial court decision finding the legislative process unconstitutional
