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 2025.
Featured Cases
Access Independent Health Services v. Wrigley
North Dakota Supreme Court upheld state's abortion ban despite three of five justices concluding a health-risk exception was unconstitutionally vague, because the state constitution requires four justices to declare legislation unconstitutional
Clarke v. Town of Newburgh
New York Court of Appeals held local government could not assert state or federal equal protection challenge to the vote dilution provision of the state's Voting Rights Act
League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature (LWV 1)
Utah Supreme Court sent partisan gerrymandering case back to lower court to consider whether the legislature violated voters' fundamental right to "reform or alter" their government when it overturned redistricting reforms passed by initiative. Lower court found legislators violated that right and struck the current congressional map, adopting an alternative proposed by the plaintiffs
Detroit Caucus v. Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission
Ruled that congressional and legislative district reapportionment plans adopted by independent commission satisfy the state constitution's redistricting provisions
State v. Reeves
Held that once a defendant has waived their self-representation right by proceeding to trial with counsel, the trial court may deny a later request for self-representation
State v. Reed
Ruled attorney’s fees are recoverable as restitution only when attorney is reasonably necessary to assist victim in exercising rights in a criminal case
Sagoonick v. State
Dismissed equal protection, substantive due process, and public trust rights claims that state energy policies violate individual fundamental right to Alaska’s natural resources and a stable climate
Durst v. Idaho Commission for Reapportionment
Determined that legislative reapportionment plan did not unreasonably divide counties as the state constitution prohibits
League of Women Voters of Michigan v. Secretary of State
Held a geographic distribution requirement for petition signatures was unconstitutional, but allowing a checkbox indicating whether the petition circulator was paid or volunteer
State v. Carr
Upheld death sentence as not violating right to life and jury trial rights under state constitution
International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 50 v. The City of Peoria
Held a local ordinance exceeded the city's home rule authority when it defined terms in a state law inconsistently with how the state supreme court had previously construed those terms
Department of Administration v. Retired Public Employees of Alaska, Inc.
Ruled retired state employee option to purchase dental insurance is a benefit constitutionally protected from diminishment
M.S.S. v. J.E.B.
Dissent would have held that substantive due process requires a hearing on the termination of parental rights before a court can order a non-consensual adoption
