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 March 2025.
Featured Cases
Kaul v. Urmanski
Wisconsin Supreme Court held that an 1849 law, which a local prosecutor had claimed was a near-total abortion ban, is impliedly repealed as to abortion by subsequent legislation and does not ban the procedure in the state.
Contoocook Valley School District v. New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed the state's existing education funding law is constitutionally inadequate and $7,356.01 per pupil as a minimum constitutional guidepost for the legislature, but reversed the trial court's injunction directing the state immediately to pay that amount because the court failed to give adequate weight to separation of powers concerns.
Republican National Committee v. Eternal Vigilance Action, Inc; Georgia v. Eternal Vigilance Action
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled invalid under state nondelegation principles four of seven rules passed by the Georgia State Election board, while upholding one rule. The court did not decide the validity of two other rules, holding that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the provisions.
State v. Horton
Ruled that imposing life sentence on defendant under amended recidivist statute did not violate state constitution’s ex post facto and proportionality clauses
Indigenous Lifeways v. New Mexico Compilation Commission Advisory Committee
Ruled that ballot measure proposing constitutional amendment to reform a regulatory commission did not violate constitution’s single-measure rule
Preterm-Cleveland v. Yost
Plaintiffs claim that the state's six-week abortion ban violates the fundamental right of individual liberty, as well as equal protection and due process guarantees
State v. Abu Youm
Dissent argued that majority fails to meaningfully apply Iowa’s two-part test concerning community caretaking exception to rule against unreasonable searches
Quinn v. State
Ruled that new capital gains tax is consistent with constitution's tax uniformity provisions and privileges and immunities clause
State v. Lafoga
Dissent argued multiple constitutional missteps by trial court, including deprivation of right to be presumed not guilty, effective assistance of counsel, and impartial judge
State v. Purcell
Held that when an individual’s “substantial rights” are affected by a postconviction order, the order is appealable per constitutional right to appeal criminal convictions
Vitale v. Bellows Falls Union High School
Held that Education clause does not require the state to pay for children to attend the school of their parents' choice, and the state may select any appropriate, substantially equal, means for providing education
City of Houston v. Houston Proffesional Fire Fighters Association
Ruled that provision of public employee law did not violate constitutional separation of powers because it established "reasonable standards" for judicial enforcement
Winchester v. State
Held that Maine courts must apply a “flexible balancing test” weighing all relevant circumstances in assessing speedy trial violations
