"[A] nonpartisan source for news, resources, and commentary focused on state courts and state constitutional development. It’s the first and only website dedicated to covering state constitutional cases and trends in high courts across the 50 states."

We’re excited to introduce you to State Court Report, a nonpartisan source for news, resources, and commentary focused on state courts and state constitutional development. It’s the first and only website dedicated to covering state constitutional cases and trends in high courts across the 50 states.

All too often, popular commentary has treated the U.S. Supreme Court as the only word that matters on constitutional rights. But recent federal court rulings limiting or eliminating rights under the U.S. Constitution have brought increased attention to state courts and constitutions as important, independent sources of rights as well.

State constitutional questions cut across issues and ideological lines, from curbing partisan gerrymandering to protecting property rights. State constitutions also share common provisions, and state courts across the country frequently grapple with similar questions about constitutional interpretation.

What’s been missing is a forum dedicated to covering legal news, trends, and cutting-edge scholarship related to state constitutional law, and a hub where noteworthy state supreme court cases and case materials from across the 50 states are easy to find and access.

Enter State Court Report, a project of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. State Court Report features insights and analysis from a nationwide network of academics, journalists, judges, and practitioners with diverse perspectives and expertise. In developing the site we convened an advisory board of law professors, retired state chief justices, and journalists to offer guidance. Our goal is to foster informed dialogue, research, and public understanding about an essential but chronically underappreciated source of law.

We hope you’ll take some time to explore State Court Report. You can read commentary, analysis, and explainers across more than a dozen issue areas or learn more about a particular state. Our State Case Database highlights notable state constitutional decisions and pending cases to watch in state high courts nationwide. And our free newsletter will deliver the latest State Court Report articles straight to your inbox.

Nearly 50 years ago, Justice William J. Brennan Jr. wrote, “State courts no less than federal are and ought to be the guardians of our liberties.” In courthouses across the country, state constitutional questions are regularly being considered. We hope that State Court Report will help foster greater understanding and awareness of these legal developments and their significance.

Alicia Bannon is editor in chief for State Court Report. She is also director of the Judiciary Program at the Brennan Center for Justice.

Douglas Keith is a founding editor of State Court Report and senior counsel in the Judiciary Program at the Brennan Center for Justice.