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
Worthington v. Thunder
Ruled that when an issue of fact is presented by the pleadings in an unlawful detainer case, the right to a jury must be held inviolate
Idaho State Athletic Commission v. Office of the Administrative Rules Coordinator
Upheld law requiring legislative pre-approval of certain agency rules
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.
Graham v. District Attorney for Hampden District
Held that the district attorney’s office breached its duty under the state due process clause to disclose evidence that could exculpate criminal defendants
Cooper v. Berger
Held that law transferring governor’s authority to appoint members on the state elections board to the legislature infringed on governor's appointment authority
Arlington Heights Pension Fund v. Pritzker
Held that the ability to vote in elections for local pension board members and to have local board members control and invest pension funds are not constitutionally protected
Lovell v. Raffensperger
Dismissed lawsuit challenging the state's electronic voting machine system because the plaintiffs' did not satisfy constitution's requirements for naming defendants
Iowa Individual Health Benefit Reinsurance Association v. State University of Iowa
Ruled that the statutes requiring state universities to join nonprofit health benefit reinsurance corporation did not violate constitutional prohibition on state acting as a surety for another
Sitka Tribe of Alaska v. State
Held that constitution does not require the Department of Fish and Game to provide all relevant information to the Board of Fisheries as it determines fishery policy
Everhart v. Coshocton County Memorial Hospital
Dissent would have held that prohibiting wrongful death suits because the statute of repose runs before the patient dies violates the constitution's open courts provision
