How to Cite a Court Case: A Complete Guide

When it comes to legal writing, citing court cases accurately is crucial. Proper citation helps to establish the authority of a particular case, and it enables readers to locate the case easily. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of citing a court case accurately.

Understanding Court Case Citations

Before diving into the citation process, it’s essential to understand how court cases are cited. Generally, court case citations contain the following information:

• The name of the case
• The volume number of the reporter that published the case
• The abbreviation of the reporter
• The page number where the case begins
• The court that issued the decision and the year it was decided

With this in mind, let’s move on to the steps involved in citing a court case.

Step 1: Determine the Relevant Information

The first step in citing a court case is to identify the relevant information. Start by locating the full name of the case, the volume number, and the page number where the case begins. You can find this information on the case’s cover page.

Step 2: Identify the Correct Reporter Abbreviation

The next step is to identify the correct abbreviation for the reporter. Different reporters may use different abbreviations, so it’s important to use the correct one. You can find a list of reporter abbreviations in the Bluebook, which is a legal citation manual used by many law schools and courts.

Step 3: Determine the Court and Year of Decision

The third step is to determine the court that issued the decision and the year it was decided. This information can be found at the top of the case’s first page. Make sure to include the court’s full name and the year the decision was made.

Step 4: Put it all Together

Now that you have all the relevant information, it’s time to put it all together. Here’s an example of a court case citation:

• Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973)

In this example, “Roe v. Wade” is the name of the case, “410” is the volume number of the United States Reports, “U.S.” is the abbreviation for the reporter, “113” is the page number where the case begins, and “1973” is the year the decision was made.

Tips for Citing Court Cases

• Always double-check your citations for accuracy.
• Use the correct abbreviation for the reporter.
• Make sure to include the court’s full name and the year the decision was made.
• If you’re citing a case from a state court, you may need to use a different citation format.
• When citing a case in a footnote, use a shortened citation format that includes only the most essential information.

Conclusion

Citing court cases can be challenging, but by following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and authoritative. Remember to always double-check your citations for accuracy and to use the correct reporter abbreviation. By doing so, you’ll establish the authority of your legal writing and make it easier for readers to locate the cases you cite.

FAQs

1. Why is it important to cite court cases accurately?

• Citing court cases accurately helps to establish the authority of a particular case and enables readers to locate the case easily.

2. What is the correct abbreviation for the reporter?

• The correct abbreviation for the reporter depends on the reporter in which the case was published. You can find a list of reporter abbreviations in the Bluebook.

3. How do I cite a case from a state court?

• The citation format for a case from a state court may differ from the format used for federal court cases. Generally, state court citations will include the state’s name and the court’s name, followed by the case’s name, volume number, reporter abbreviation, page number, and year.

4. How do I cite a case in a footnote?

• When citing a case in a footnote, use a shortened citation format that includes the most essential information, such as the case name, volume number, and page number.

5. What if I can’t find all the information I need to cite a case?

• If you can’t find all the information you need to cite a case, consult a legal citation manual, such as the Bluebook, or ask a legal librarian for assistance.