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Supreme Court held that an 1849 law, which a local prosecutor had claimed was a near-total abortion ban, is impliedly repealed as to abortion by subsequent legislation and does not ban the procedure in the state.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.
Thom v. Barnett (In re Election Contest Dakota Constitution to Legalize)
In challenge to initiated constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana, ruled proposed amendment violated constitution’s single subject and separate vote requirements
State v. Arnett
Ruled that the criminal restitution scheme violates the right to a jury trial under the state constitution
In re Goldston
Ruled family court judge’s presence at party’s home to look for marital property was an improper search under prohibition against judicial officers exercising the executive search power
State ex rel. Suwalski v. Peeler
Ruled that application for relief from federal firearms disability after conviction for domestic violence implicated crime victim’s rights under the constitution
State v. Peterson
Dissent wrote that statute criminalizing sale of heroin violated equal protection clause because the same conduct is criminalized under another controlled substance statute which carries a different penalty
State v. Brown
Ruled statute authorizing judge, not jury, to make criminal history findings for sentencing did not violate right to a jury trial; statute allowing judge to set restitution implicated the right but was severable
State v. Jordan
Dissent wrote that warrantless arrest of defendant when police had ample time to secure a warrant violated constitution’s protection against unreasonable search and seizure
League of Women Voters of Honolulu v. State
Ruled legislature’s replacement of a recidivism bill with a hurricane shelter bill violated constitution’s requirement of three readings to begin anew because the amendment was non-germane
In re Colorado Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission
Ruled constitutional provision for congressional redistricting process did not create new protections against minority vote dilution beyond those provided by the federal Voting Rights Act
State v. Walker-Brazie
Ruled that evidence seized by Border Patrol was inadmissible in a state criminal proceeding when that search did not comply with the state constitution
