Cecily Zamora
When referencing state law, it is important to note that each state has its own specific requirements for citations, and these can vary. The Bluebook is a useful resource for understanding the correct format for each state, and it is recommended to refer to this when citing a statute from a new state. Generally, state statutes are published in their own state-specific publications, and it is best practice to cite the current official code for that jurisdiction. However, if a current official code does not exist, as is often the case, a current unofficial code should be referenced. Federal laws, on the other hand, are published in the United States Code (U.S.C.), and the U.S.C. is divided into sections called titles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to reference state law | Refer to the Bluebook for each state, as the format varies. |
| Federal statutes | Published in the United States Code (U.S.C.) |
| State statutes | Published in state-specific publications |
| State statutes citation format | Similar to federal statutes but varies by state |
| Official code | The Bluebook requires you to cite the official code, if possible |
| Unofficial code | If no official code exists, cite a current unofficial code |
| Supplements | State statutes are updated via supplements or pocket parts |
| Citing supplements | Bluebook Rule 12.3.1(e) governs how to cite supplements and pocket parts |
| State codes | Must include the year of the code |
| Federal law citation | Name of law, title, "U.S.C.", section, year, and optionally the URL |
| State law citation | Name of Act, Title Source § Section Number (Year) and optionally the URL |
| In-text citation | (Name of Act, Year) |
| In-text citation for court decisions and cases | Italicise the title |
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What You'll Learn
Citing state law in APA style
State laws or statutes are laws that have been passed and added to the state code. They are generally cited similarly to federal statutes, but different states have different requirements for their citations. Therefore, it is best to refer to the Bluebook when citing a statute from a new state.
The Bluebook is a guide that introduces the basic concepts of legal citation to new law students. It requires you to cite the official code, if possible. It also provides a list of statutory codes for each state, indicating which is the official or preferred code to cite, as well as the abbreviations for each code.
For example, if you are citing a statute from Virginia, the citation format will be different from that of Connecticut. In Virginia, a citation to a statute in the Code of Virginia 1950 Annotated has the following three elements: "Va.". On the other hand, Connecticut's official code is the General Statutes of Connecticut, and the unofficial code is Connecticut General Statutes Annotated.
When citing state laws in APA style, most legal materials are cited in the standard legal citation style used for legal references across all disciplines. The APA Publication Manual indicates that state statutes should be cited to the code. The template for federal or state statutes is as follows:
> Reference List: Name of Act, Title Source § Section Number (Year). URL
For example, the proper citation for a statute regarding the cooperation of agencies in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 would be:
> National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 § 102, 42 U.S.C. § 4332.
Note that APA style calls for the title of the statute to precede information on the source. Also, the year included is when the law was published in the source consulted, not when it was passed, amended, or supplemented. Including a URL is optional in APA Style reference entries for legal sources.
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Citing state law in Bluebook style
The Bluebook style guide provides instructions on how to cite state law. State laws or statutes are periodically updated and published in both official and unofficial codes. The Bluebook requires that citations refer to the official code where possible (Rule 12.2.1).
The citation format for state statutory codes is similar to federal statutes, but it varies by state. The Bluebook provides a list of statutory codes and abbreviations for each state, along with the preferred code to cite. For example, in Virginia, the official statutory code is the "Code of Virginia 1950 Annotated", while the unofficial code is "West's Annotated Code of Virginia".
When citing state law, it is important to include the year of the code. For example, "Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-114(1998)". State laws are also updated via supplements or pocket parts, and Bluebook Rule 12.3.1(e) governs how to cite these updates.
Additionally, some states may not have an official code, and in those cases, session laws are considered official. For instance, Ohio does not have an official code, so citations should refer to either the Lexis or Westlaw unofficial code: "Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2913.02 (LEXIS through file 59 (HB 1))".
It is always best to consult the Bluebook when citing a statute from a new state, as different states have different requirements for their citations.
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State law and official codes
State laws and official codes are an essential aspect of the US legal system, providing a framework for various regulations and guidelines at the state level. Each state has its own set of statutes, codes, and regulations that govern specific areas of law, such as public health, welfare, and environmental policies. These state laws are published in state-specific statutory codes, which serve as a reference for legal professionals, citizens, and scholars.
When referencing state law, it is crucial to follow established guidelines, such as those outlined in the Bluebook for legal citation. The Bluebook provides comprehensive instructions on how to cite state statutes, codes, and other legal sources accurately. It is worth noting that citation formats can vary across different states, so consulting the Bluebook for specific state guidelines is essential.
State statutes, similar to federal statutes, can be published in both official and unofficial codes. The Bluebook mandates citing the official code whenever possible. Official codes are periodically updated through supplements or pocket parts, ensuring that the information remains current. However, if an official code is unavailable or outdated, it is acceptable to reference a current unofficial code, such as those published by commercial entities like West's U.S.C.A. or LexisNexis.
The citation format for state statutory codes typically includes the name of the act, title source, section number, and year. For example, the citation format for a statute in Virginia's official code, the "Code of Virginia 1950 Annotated," would include specific elements such as "Va." followed by the relevant section and year. Additionally, when citing state laws, it is important to include the year of the code, as different versions may exist.
In conclusion, referencing state law and official codes requires adherence to specific guidelines, such as those outlined in the Bluebook. State statutes are published in official and unofficial codes, with a preference for citing the current official code. The citation format varies by state but generally includes the act's name, title source, section number, and year. Understanding and correctly applying these citation rules are crucial for legal professionals, scholars, and anyone referencing state laws and official codes.
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State law and unofficial codes
State laws are enacted by the individual state legislatures or governing bodies. They are published in three forms: slip laws, session laws, and codes. Slip laws are pamphlets that contain the text of a law as passed, session laws are annual compilations of laws passed in a legislative session, and codes are compilations of laws in effect, organized by subject.
States may have different versions of their codes, which can be official or unofficial, and annotated or unannotated. Official codes are published by or with the direction of the state as the authoritative version, while unofficial codes are published without the state's direction, often by a commercial publisher or by the state in a version not intended to be authoritative. Annotated codes include summaries of relevant cases and cross-references to research sources, while unannotated codes contain only the statutory text.
Unofficial codes can be a useful resource for understanding state laws, as they may include additional information and context that is not included in the official code. They can also be published more frequently, providing a more up-to-date version of the law. However, it is important to note that unofficial codes may not have the same authority as official codes and may not be suitable for all purposes.
The Bluebook provides details on state statutes and rules for citing official and unofficial versions of state codes. Current versions of state statutes are available online via Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg, and state websites. Historical and superseded statutes can also be used to find out what the law was at a particular time in the past, and older state statutes are available online via Westlaw, Lexis, and HeinOnline.
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State law and supplements
State laws and statutes are published in their own state-specific publications. Each state has its own official and unofficial codes, and the Bluebook, which is a style guide for legal citations, requires citing the official code where possible. The Bluebook also provides the official/preferred code for each state, along with the necessary abbreviations and symbols.
State statutory codes in print are updated with supplements or pocket parts, and Bluebook Rule 12.3.1(e) governs the way to cite supplements and pocket parts for both federal and state statutes. If an official code does not exist, a citation should be made to a current, unofficial code or its supplements. If these are also unavailable, one may refer to official session laws, privately published session laws, a commercial electronic database, a looseleaf service, an internet source, or a newspaper.
The citation format for state statutory codes varies by state. For example, Connecticut's official code is the General Statutes of Connecticut, while the unofficial code is Connecticut General Statutes Annotated. The citation for a Connecticut statute would be: "Conn. Gen. Stat. § 33-114(1998)".
When citing a federal law, one should include the name of the law, the title,
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Frequently asked questions
The Bluebook is a style guide that provides rules for legal citation. It is used to standardise the way legal sources are cited, including state statutes.
The Bluebook provides tables with the official and unofficial codes for each state. The citation format for state statutory codes is similar to federal statutes but varies by state. Generally, you should cite the current, official code for the state, if possible. If this is not possible, cite a current unofficial code.
To cite federal laws, list the name of the law, the title,
The U.S.C. is a compilation of federal statutes, divided into sections called titles. Federal laws are cited using the U.S.C.
If the law is not in the U.S.C. or is spread across non-consecutive sections, include the public law number in addition to the source information.
