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
People v. Taylor; People v. Czarnecki
Michigan Supreme Court held that mandatory life-without-parole sentences violate the state constitution’s protection against “cruel or unusual” punishment for anyone under age 21 at the time of the offense. The decision extends the court’s 2022 ruling in People v. Parks that such sentences are unconstitutional for those 18 or under.
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.
N'Da v. Hybl
Nebraska Supreme Court held that statutory requirement that applicant seeking certificate to provide nonemergency medical transport must show the proposed service is required by "public convenience and necessity" does not facially violate state constitutional due process or bans on "special laws" or laws granting "special privileges and immunities." Also held that that the Nebraska Constitution's due process and equal protection clauses are coextensive with their federal equivalents, so federal rational basis review applies to substantive due process challenges to economic regulations, not the heightened standard the court had applied in a line of cases from the early 20th century.
Neptune Swimming Foundation v. City of Scottsdale
Ruled that the City of Scottsdale did not violate the state's gift clause when it awarded an operating license to plaintiff swim club's competitor at below-market rates
Forward Montana v. State
Held that plaintiffs were entitled to attorney's fees for challenging two statutory provisions relating to campaign activities and judicial recusal, added to state's campaign finance bill, that would have violated the state constitution's single subject rule and rule on amendments
City of Laramie v. University of Wyoming
Held that the University of Wyoming had common-law sovereign immunity from city's attempt to enforce restrictive deed covenant pertaining to its drilling and operation of two wells for watering university's landscaping including golf course; and the city's other constitutional and statutory challenges against the university should also be dismissed
Cao v. PFP Dorsey Investments
Held that a forced sale of a condominium as required by a contract and within the bounds of the state Condominium Act did not violate the state constitution's eminent domain provision.
Gulf Shores City Board of Education v. Mackey
Held that local act that earmarked portion of local taxes to county school board did not violate the constitutional principle of equality of taxation
Owens v. People
Upheld a conviction in a high-profile murder case, where the defendant, Sir Mario Owens, appealed based on many alleged errors, including racial bias in jury selection.
Zurawski v. Texas
Held that the language in state abortion laws allowing abortions when the life of the mother is threatened is adequate to protect the health of the patient and constitutional. Plaintiffs claimed prohibition on abortions in the case of medical emergencies would violate the due course of law clause and guarantees of equal rights and privileges and equality based on sex.
Faatz v. Ashcroft
Affirmed an appeals court ruling that the Missouri Senate redistricting plan met constitutional requirements.
LePage v. Center for Reproductive Medicine
Held that wrongful death statute applies to embryos stored as part of IVF procedure
Hardy v. Chester Arms, LLC
Held that granting statutory immunity to firearms dealers for damages suits arising from use of products by third parties did not violate state constitutional rights to equal protection and to a remedy
