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 April 2024.
Featured Cases
Worrell v. DeSantis
Denied an elected Florida state attorney’s bid to be reinstated after she was removed from office by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, an act she, a Democrat, said was politically motivated.
Zurawski v. Texas
Held that the language in state abortion laws allowing abortions when the life of the mother is threatened is adequate to protect the health of the patient and constitutional. Plaintiffs claimed prohibition on abortions in the case of medical emergencies would violate the due course of law clause and guarantees of equal rights and privileges and equality based on sex.
League of Women Voters of Kansas v. Schwab
Held that voting was not a fundamental right under the state constitution's Bill of Rights, but a political right grounded elsewhere in the constitution.
City of Bloomington Board of Zoning Appeals v. UJ-Eighty Corp.
Ruled that zoning ordinance that defined fraternities and sororities based on their relationship with university was not an unconstitutional delegation of zoning authority to the university
State v. Misch
Ruled that right to bear arms clause protects a limited right to self-defense, and statute banning large-capacity magazines is a reasonable exercise of the state's police power
People v. Gordon
Ruled that to search vehicles located outside defendant's residence, search and seizure clause requires that a warrant refer to the vehicles with particularity
Clark Fork Coalition v. Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
Ruled that statute providing for only limited review of surface water degradation risk before issuance of water use permit did not violate right to a clean and healthful environment
Grisham v. Romero
Ruled that Secretary of Health's emergency order restricting indoor dining was not an unconstitutional exercise of legislative powers in the context of the public health crisis
Fay v. Merrill
Ruled governor’s executive order to add Covid-19 as a new reason for requesting an absentee ballot did not violate constitution’s absentee ballot clause
Hamen v. Hamlin County
Ruled that damage caused by law enforcement during an arrest is not a taking under the state constitution
State v. Lee
Ruled that evidence of a separate, independent crime after an illegal entry should not have been suppressed under constitution's search and seizure clause
Schires v. Carlat
Ruled city’s payment of public funds to induce private university to open branch campus violated gift clause where funds were disproportionate to the bargained-for benefits from university
State ex rel. Dickey v. Besler
Ruled that challenge to governor's appointment of a judge as untimely was nonjusticiable as the only other official with appointment power, the chief justice, accepted the appointment