We hear a lot about the US Supreme Court — its rulings on important cases, the justice appointment process, and ethical issues — but what about the many state supreme courts? All 50 states (plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico) have one. And most states have a lower trial court and intermediate appellate court, just like the federal court system.

While the work of state courts flies under the radar for many Americans, these courts regularly deliver rulings on voting rights, education, LGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive access, criminal justice, the environment, and more. In fact, 95 percent of cases in the US litigation system are resolved in state courts, not federal courts.

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This blog was written by litigation intern Brooke White.
LWVUS Blog / Last Updated: August 20, 2025