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
Mellowitz v. Ball State University
Upheld law prohibiting class actions against postsecondary educational institutions to recover losses stemming from Covid-19
People v. Debellis
Ruled that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to request charge on the only defense supported by the trial testimony
People v. Rodriguez
Held that a bicycle stop is a seizure and that police may not initiate encounters with bicyclists absent reasonable suspicion of crime or probable cause of traffic violation
State v. Oldenburg
Held that statute permitting trial court to seal criminal records violates separation of powers by impinging supreme court’s rulemaking power
Montana Democratic Party v. Jacobsen
Held unconstitutional laws eliminating election day registration and limiting acceptable forms of identification for voting
Vlaming v. West Point School Board
Allowed teacher to proceed with claim that refusal to use a student's preferred pronouns is protected by the teacher's free-exercise rights
Cruz-Guzman v. State
Held that claims of racial imbalances in public education do not need to establish state action caused the racial imbalances
State v. Harrell
Ruled that the right to an impartial jury does not guarantee a criminal defendant a specific number of peremptory challenges
Hoffmann v. New York State Independent Redistricting Commission
Ordered the independent redistricting commission to reconvene to redraw the state's congressional districts to replace court-drawn map
Bennett v. United States
Held that statute of repose barring medical malpractice claims after eight years violated privileges and immunities clause and access to justice guarantees
