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 June 2025.
Featured Cases
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
Luther v. Hoskins
The Missouri Supreme Court rejected voters' challenge to Missouri's new congressional district map, which the plaintiffs said ran afoul of state constitutional prohibitions on mid-decade redistricting. The court said the state constitution contained no express prohibition on mid-decade redistricting and that the map was a "valid exercise" of the "plenary legislative power to establish congressional districts."
Arkansas Department of Education v. Jackson
Held that emergency clause in legislation complied with constitution's procedural requirements
State ex rel. Candelaria v. Grisham
Ruled that the legislative branch controlled the funds disbursed to the state under the federal American Rescue Plan Act because the law left significant discretion to the states
Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Commission
Ruled redistricting disputes can only be judicially resolved to remedy a cognizable right and partisan gerrymandering claims are not cognizable under the state constitution
Tidwell v. Blaine County
Dismissed land use case for lack of standing, dissent argued that court should not use federal standing doctrine when state constitution has distinct language
Byrd v. State
Held that a section of a law criminalizing homelessness in a bill about county financial statements violated single-subject requirements
Graham v. Adams
Rejected partisan gerrymandering claims as to congressional and state house districts
Board of Trustees of N. Dakota Public Employees Retirement System v. N. Dakota Legislative Assembly
Held that omnibus appropriations bill, which included law related to appointments to the public employee retirement systems' board, violated single subject rule
Weeks v. Department of Human Service of the Commonwealth
Upheld act ending cash assistance welfare program, finding that legislature’s process satisfied the state’s “original purpose” and “single subject” requirements
Gonzales v. Inslee
Upheld governor’s pandemic-era moratorium on rent-based evictions as not violating contracts, takings, court access, or separation of powers provisions
Bennett et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al.
Held that legislative districts violated new constitutional provisions prohibiting partisan gerrymandering
