Getting Started
Understanding Legal Citations
How to read and write the references courts use to point to cases and statutes.
Local rules vary: Citation format is standardized (often the Bluebook) but courts may accept simplified formats. Check your court's citation rules.
Why citations matter
A citation is a standardized reference to a legal source — a case, a statute, or a regulation. Courts use them so anyone can find the exact authority being relied on.
Case citations
A typical case citation looks like: Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456 (2d Cir. 2010).
- Smith v. Jones — the parties.
- 123 — the volume of the reporter.
- F.3d — the reporter series (Federal Reporter, 3d series).
- 456 — the starting page.
- (2d Cir. 2010) — the court and year.
Statute citations
A statute citation points to a code, like 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (a federal statute) or a state code like Cal. Civ. Code § 1719.
Finding the cited material
You can look up citations in free databases (court websites, Google Scholar) and paid ones. Reading the cited case or statute tells you whether it actually supports your point.
Using citations in your filings
When you make a legal argument, cite the authority you rely on. Keep citations accurate — misstating a case undermines your credibility.