Legal Research
Understanding Legal Citations
A legal citation is like an address — it tells you exactly where to find a source. This guide breaks real citations down piece by piece so you can read them with confidence.
What a Citation Does
A citation identifies where a legal source — a case, statute, or regulation — can be found, so it can be located and verified by anyone.
A citation doesn't prove a source still applies
A citation helps you locate a source. It does not, by itself, establish whether that source is still valid or whether it applies to your case. Always read the source and check its current status.Breaking Down a Case Citation
Select any highlighted part of the citations below to see what it means.
Hover, focus, or click a highlighted part of the citation above to see what it means.
Hover, focus, or click a highlighted part of the citation above to see what it means.
Breaking Down a Statute Citation
Statutory citations reference a title and section in a code, rather than a volume and page in a reporter.
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Case Name, Pinpoint Citations, and Court
Full citations often include more than just the reporter reference. These two examples show a real pinpoint citation and a fictional example showing how a court abbreviation appears.
Hover, focus, or click a highlighted part of the citation above to see what it means.
Hover, focus, or click a highlighted part of the citation above to see what it means.
Formats Vary by Source
There isn't one universal citation format.
- Federal court citations often differ from state court citations.
- Statutes are cited by title and section, not by volume and page.
- Regulations follow their own citation conventions, separate from statutes.
- Individual courts may have local rules governing how citations must be formatted in filings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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CaseCompass provides general legal education and research guidance. Laws and procedures may differ by jurisdiction. This information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.