Overview
This lecture explains how to correctly cite legal resources using APA style, focusing on the differences from Bluebook citations and outlining formats for federal and state law.
APA vs. Bluebook Citation Styles
- APA legal citations are based on Bluebook guidelines but with modifications.
- In APA, in-text legal citations are not numbered and do not use footnotes.
- Bluebook is the primary US legal citation standard, especially for law students.
Tools and Resources for Legal Citations
- The GW Burns Law Library provides guides on Bluebook citation rules.
- "The Bluebook Uncovered" is a free resource for Bluebook basics.
- Nexis-Uni offers a citation export feature, but citations may need editing.
- Refworks applies one citation style per document, not multiple styles.
Formatting Case Law in APA
- Format: Plaintiff v. Defendant, Year (e.g., Rescuecom Corp. v. Google Inc., 2009).
- Elements: party names, reporter volume, Bluebook reporter abbreviation, page, jurisdiction, year.
- Abbreviations must follow Bluebook rules; consult the Bluebook for specifics.
Citing Statutory Law in APA
- US Code format: [Name of Act], Title number, Code abbreviation, § section number(s), (year).
- Cite bills not passed as bill name and number, indicating House or Senate introduction.
- Enacted laws (session laws) include public law number, Statutes at Large volume and page, year of enactment.
- Use Table of Classifications for Public Laws to identify updated US Code sections.
Citing State Law in APA
- State citation format varies by jurisdiction.
- General format: code abbreviation, § section, section number, (year/edition), publication name.
- Use Bluebook Table T1 to find correct format for each state.
Help and Further Resources
- For complex Bluebook questions, consult the Burns Law Library staff.
- "Understanding and Mastering the Bluebook" is a recommended guide.
- Print copies of the Bluebook and APA Publication Manual are available for reference.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Bluebook — widely used legal citation manual in the US.
- APA Style — citation format commonly used in social sciences, including modified legal citations.
- Case law — reported judicial decisions used as legal precedents.
- Statutory law — written laws passed by legislatures, codified in codes.
- Session laws — laws passed by a legislative session, published chronologically.
- Reporter — publication that compiles judicial opinions from courts.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Consult Bluebook and APA manuals for specific citation examples.
- Use Nexis-Uni or Refworks for citation drafts, then manually edit for accuracy.
- Contact the Burns Law Library or Himmelfarb Library for citation help.
- Review slides and additional resources in the video library.