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Bluebook Citation

Case Citing 101

The basic structure of a case citation has at least these four basic elements:

  1. Name of the case
  2. The source where the case can be found
  3. Name of the court that decided the case
  4. Year the case was decided

Example: U.S. v. Johnson, 640 F.3d (6th Cir. 2011).

The subheadings under the Cases tab corresponds to each of these elements and provides an in-depth look at each. Each page will provide links to tutorials and practice materials to familiarize you with the basics.

Helpful Hints

  • See rule B10.1.4 if citing a pending or unreported case.
  • See rule B10.1.5 to include an explanatory parenthetical.
  • See rule B10.1.6 to include prior or subsequent history information.
  • See rule B10.2 for information on short citing a case.

Citation Breakdown

Citation:

State v. Moore, 189 P.3d 1107 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2008).

Breakdown:

  • Case name (State v. Moore): See rule B10.1.1 and tables T6 and T10.
  • Reporter (189 P.3d 1107): See rule B10.1.2 and table T1 for abbreviated names of reports. See also Ariz. R. Civ. App. P. 13(f) for a local court rule on which reporter to use in case citations in Arizona court documents.
  • Court name and year of decision (Ariz. Ct. App. 2008): See rule B10.1.3 and table T1 for abbreviated court names in US jurisdictions.
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