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
Belser v. Blount County
Held that whether the legislature conducted its internal voting proceedings in compliance with the state constitution is a nonjusticiable political question
Kell v. State
Ruled that defendant failed to demonstrate that dismissing a petition for post-conviction relief filed five years after the discovery of the evidence violates the state constitution
State v. Wilcox
Held that seizure of defendant’s backpack, incident to seizure of the defendant under non-criminal public intoxication law, was an administrative seizure
Commonwealth v. Mattis
Held that life without parole sentences are unconstitutional as applied to emerging adults (ages 18-20)
Deo v. Parish
Held that state courts have subject matter jurisdiction in criminal cases against an indigenous person in “Indian Country” and defendants must object based on personal and territorial jurisdiction
Antero Treatment LLC v. Veolia Water Technologies
Held that statutory bond cap that supersedes court rule setting bond as a percentage of the judgment does not infringe on supreme court's rulemaking authority
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
In re: Legislator Interest in State Contracts
South Dakota Supreme Court issued advisory opinion at Governor's request, clarifying the breadth of a constitutional prohibition on state legislators having an interest in state contracts
Planned Parenthood v. Florida
Held that the state's abortion restrictions do not violate the constitution’s right to privacy
Treat v. Stitt
Held that state legislators did not violate the state constitution by issuing extensions on existing tribal compacts related to tobacco taxes and motor vehicle fees. The Oklahoma governor had argued his office has exclusive authority to negotiate contracts between tribes and the state.
