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
A.B. v. S.U.
Ruled that a statute reviving an otherwise time-barred claim of child sexual abuse did not violate state equivalent to due process
State v. Gonzalez (In re Sargent)
Ruled that trial courts may deny bail to defendants charged with class A felony offenses because the constitution focuses on whether the offense in general, not as charged to the specific defendant, is punishable by the possibility of life in prison
Joseph v. State
Ruled that the state constitution does not require probable cause for an exterior canine sniff of a vehicle
State v. Langston
Ruled that the sentencing court’s consideration of acquitted conduct did not violate defendant’s state constitutional rights to due process
State ex rel. DeBlase v. Ohio Ballot Board
Concurrence would have held that constitution's initiative and referendum clause does not limit ballot initiatives to a single subject, object, or purpose
Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Justice v. State
Ruled that legislative acts prohibiting abortion after certain cutoff points while providing for a civil enforcement mechanism were unconstitutional
Raffensperger v. Jackson
Held that an licensing requirement for lactation consultants violated due process and the right “to pursue a lawful occupation of their choosing free from unreasonable government interference”
Wisconsin Justice Initiative, Inc. v. Wisconsin Elections Commission
Held that the process by which Marsy's Law amendment was submitted to voters satisfied constitutional requirements
State ex rel. Attorney General of Iowa v. Autor
Ruled that the constitution does not afford a jury right when the attorney general pursues civil enforcement actions under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act.
Taylor v. Alaska Legislative Affairs Agency
Ruled attorney general’s suit on behalf of the state against the Legislative Affairs Agency violated constitution’s prohibition on suits against the legislature by the governor
