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 January 2025.
Featured Cases
Vet Voice Foundation v. Hobbs
Washington Supreme Court held requirement that election workers verify voter signatures on mail ballots, when coupled with the state’s recently expanded process for notifying voters and providing an opportunity to cure when a signature mismatch is identified, does not facially violate the state constitution’s free and equal elections, privileges and immunities, or due process clause.
SisterSong v. Georgia
Plaintiffs claim that abortion ban violates the state constitution’s right to liberty and privacy and guarantee of equal protection
Griffin v. State Board of Elections
A candidate for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, who lost by over 700 votes, claims that the state board of elections followed an incorrect process for registering voters and seeks in invalidate more than 60,000 votes.
State v. Tran
Ruled that the Hawaii constitutional provision allowing the legislature to define jury unanimity required for a conviction of continuous sexual assault against a minor below 14 years of age did not violate Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution
State ex rel. Parson v. Walker
Held that statute governing Governor's power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons placed no limit on Governor's exclusive constitutional discretion over clemency matters
Commonwealth v. Torsilieri
Held that Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act's presumption that adult sex offenders posed higher risk of recidivism did not violate due process
Navahine F. v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation
State reached settlement with plaintiffs who sued over the climate impact of the state transportation system. Under settlement, Hawaii must plan and implement carbon reduction plans; fund and complete green transportation projects; establish oversight unit in the transportation department; and involve youth in the process. The trial court has approved the settlement and has jurisdiction over any disputes that arise.
In re Covid-related Restrictions on Religious Services
Affirmed dismissal of the clergy members’ challenge to restrictions on religious gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because the restrictions were lifted before the action was filed and the possibility of future pandemic conditions is speculative, the court said, the plaintiffs cannot establish irreparable harm for injunctive relief or standing for their declaratory claim. The court also found the governor immune from the clergies’ damages claims, rejecting the argument that his restrictions fell outside the state tort law’s liability exemption for “discretionary” acts because he lacked authority to interfere with religious worship under the state constitution.
In Re the State of Texas
The State of Texas requested that a Harris County guaranteed income program in that would use federal funds to disburse $500 cash payments (monthly, for 18 months) to 2,000 low-income county residents be paused as a lawsuit over the program proceeds in the trial court. The Texas Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction.
Montanans for Election Reform Action Fund v. Knudsen
Held that petitioner’s proposed ballot issue did not violate the separate-vote requirement provision
Kanahele v. State
Held that the state's transfer of control over a mountain access road constituted a breach of its constitutional duty to carry out the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act
Howell v. Cooper
The North Carolina Supreme Court will hear two cases together, both brought by bar owners who sued the state claiming that shutdown orders related to the Covid-19 pandemic violated their state constitutional right to earn a living, their due process rights under the “law of the land” clause, and their equal protection rights
State of Washington v. Luthi
Held that an in-court holding cell, even during pretrial hearings when a jury is not present, undermines the presumption of innocence, limits defendants’ ability to confer confidentially with counsel, and is contrary to the “formal dignity” of the courtroom and treating defendants’ respectfully.