Citing Supreme Court Cases: A Legal Nightmare (or Not)
So, you've found yourself in the unenviable position of having to cite a Supreme Court case in Chicago style. Welcome to the wonderful world of legal citations! Don't worry, you're not alone. Countless law students, lawyers, and even the occasional confused English major have faced this daunting task. Let's break it down into something a little less intimidating.
The Basics: It's All About the Format
Think of citing a Supreme Court case like assembling IKEA furniture. It's a lot of pieces, and it can be frustrating, but with the right instructions, you can do it. Here's the basic blueprint:
- Case Name: This is the name of the parties involved in the case. For example, Brown v. Board of Education.
- Volume Number: This is the number of the law reporter where the case is published.
- Reporter Name: This is the name of the law reporter, such as U.S. for the United States Reports.
- Page Number: This is the page where the case begins.
- Court and Year: This specifies the court that decided the case and the year of the decision.
So, a basic Supreme Court case citation would look something like this:
Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
Shortening Subsequent Citations: Because Nobody Wants to Type That Much
If you're citing the same case multiple times, you can shorten subsequent citations. It's like using contractions in English – you don't want to say "I will not" every time, right? You can simply use the case name and the page number. For example:
Brown, 347 U.S. at 495.
Footnotes or Endnotes: Choose Your Weapon
Chicago style typically uses footnotes or endnotes for citations. It’s like choosing between a sword and a dagger – both can get the job done, but one might be more suited to your style.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect Punctuation: Those commas and parentheses are important! Using the wrong punctuation can change the meaning of your citation.
- Missing Information: Make sure you include all the necessary parts of the citation.
- Inconsistent Formatting: Consistency is key. Use the same format for all your citations.
Remember: If you're really struggling, there are citation generators and style guides available online. But don’t rely on them completely; always double-check your citations.
FAQs: Quick Tips for the Citation-Challenged
How to find the volume number and reporter name?
- Look up the case in a legal database like LexisNexis or Westlaw. The citation information will usually be included in the case summary.
How to cite a case from a different court?
- The format is similar, but the reporter name will be different. For example, a case from the Illinois Supreme Court might be cited as People v. Smith, 40 Ill. 2d 123 (1968).
How to cite a case with multiple authors or parties?
- List all parties involved in the case name, separated by "v."
How to cite a case with a long title?
- You can shorten the title if it's excessively long. For example, United States v. Nixon can be shortened to U.S. v. Nixon.
How to cite a case that has been overruled?
- Indicate that the case has been overruled in parentheses after the citation. For example, Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), overruled by Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896).
There you have it! Citing Supreme Court cases doesn't have to be a legal nightmare. With a little practice and attention to detail, you'll be a citation pro in no time.
