The Bluebook by Bluebook, a Uniform System of Citation. 2000. (Ref. KF 245 B58) The Uniform System of Citation, known as the bluebook, is the standard reference source for the rules and principles of citing legal materials. See also:
The Bluebook, a Uniform System of Citation, published by the Harvard Law Review, is the definitive style guide for the legal field.
Citing U.S. Supreme Court Decisions:
REFERENCE LIST ENTRY
Basic Format
Name v. Name. Vol. number U.S. Page number. (Year).
Note: The volume and page numbers refer to U.S. Reports. All reporting services include this information. Ignore the "Cite As" at the head of the page in Supreme Court Reporter, because this form of the citation is not used in APA style.
Example:
United States v. Lane, 474 U.S. 438 (1986).
IN-TEXT CITATION
Basic Form
Name v. Name (Year)
(Name v. Name, Year)
Examples:
The Supreme Court has held in United States v. Lane (1986) that misjoinder under Rule 8(b) is subject to harmless-error analysis.
The Supreme Court has held that misjoinder under Rule 8(b) is subject to harmless-error analysis (United States v. Lane, 1986).
Citing Decisions of Lower Federal Courts:
REFERENCE LIST ENTRY
Basic Format
Name v. Name, Volume number Reporter abbreviation Page number (Court Name).
Reporter Abbreviations
F., F.2d or F.3d for Federal Reporter (circuit courts)
F. Supp. or F.Supp.2d for Federal Supplement (District Courts).
Examples
Flibotte v. Pennsylvania Truck Lines, Inc., 131 F. 3d 21 (1st Cir. 1997).
SBC Communications, Inc. v. Federal Communications Commission, 981 F. Supp. 996 (N.D. Texas 1997).
IN-TEXT CITATION
Basic Form
Name v. Name (year ) or (Name v. Name, year)
Examples:
In Flibotte v. Pennsylvania Truck Lines, Inc. (1997), the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit held that it is appropriate for a judge to refuse to direct the verdict.
The Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has held that it is appropriate for a judge to refuse to direct the verdict (Flibotte v. Pennsylvania Truck Lines, Inc., 1997).
Citing Florida Decisions:
REFERENCE LIST ENTRY
Basic Form
Name v. Name, Volume number Reporter abbreviation Page number (Court Name)
Examples
Swofford v. Richards Enters., Inc., 515 So. 2d 231 (Fla. 1987).
City of N. Miami v. Fla. Defenders of the Env't, 481 So. 2d 1196 (Fla. 1985).
IN-TEXT CITATION
Basic Form
Name v. Name (Year) or (Name v. Name, Year)
Examples
In Silverleib v. Hebshie (1992), the Florida Court of Appeals held that an order for the removal of a sewer line is in the nature of an equitable order.
The Florida Court of Appeals held that an order for the removal of a sewer line is in the nature of an equitable order (Silverleib v. Hebshie 1992).
Citing Federal Statutes:
REFERENCE LIST ENTRY
Cite a statute in its location in the U.S. Code. Alternatively, cite the statute in its original publication in the Statutes at Large, rather than in the code. This is usually done when the statute is an appropriation, has been repealed, or has its contents scattered in different parts of the Code.
Basic form
Name of Act § Section number, Volume number U.S.C. § Section number (Year).
Name of Act, Pub. L. No. Number , § Section number, Volume number Stat. Page number.
Examples
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 § 102, 42 U.S.C. § 4332 (1994).
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-336, § 2, 104 Stat. 328 (1991).
IN-TEXT CITATION
Basic form
Name of Act (Year)
Name of Act of Year
Examples:
The National Environmental Policy Act (1969) established the Council on Environmental Quality.
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 established the Council on Environmental Quality.
Citing Public Laws:
REFERENCE LIST ENTRY
Federal Laws: Basic Form
Title, Public Law number, vol Stat. page (date)
Examples:
ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Public Law 110–325, 122 Stat. 3553 (2008).
IN- TEXT CITATION
ADA Amendments Act (2008)
Citing Florida Statutes:
REFERENCE LIST ENTRY
Basic Form
Source § Chapter (date)
Examples
Fla. Stat. § 671.1-101 (1973)
Fla. Stat. Ann. § 671.1-101 (1973)
Fla. Stat. Ann. § 671.1-101 (1973)
§ 671.1-101, Fla. Stat. (1973)
IN-TEXT CITATION
Example: Section 216.177 of the Florida Statutes 64 governs the form and content
of the annual statement of intent that accompanies each General
Appropriations Act
The examples used above are courtesy of Librarian Susan Silver & USF Libraries Citation Style for Law Guide.
Here is a copy of an APA Sample Template provided by Professor Harrell and Dr. Haraway to assist you in the APA formatting process.