Workflow Templates: Legal Citation Checklist

Verify the case name is italicized or underlined

Check that the case citation includes the volume number, the reporter, and the first page of the case

Ensure the year of the decision is in parentheses following the page number

Confirm pinpoint citations are included where specific pages, paragraphs, or sections are referenced

Check that the title or chapter number is correct

Ensure the section number is accurate

Verify the year of the statute is included if necessary

Confirm that the source of the statute (e.g., U.S.C., state code) is correctly abbreviated and italicized

Ensure the full title of the article or book is provided

Verify the author's name is presented as it appears in the work

Check that the publication year is included in parentheses for books, and in brackets for journal articles

Confirm that the volume number and page number (for journal articles) or publisher and publication city (for books) are correct

Verify the full URL or DOI is included

Check the date of the publication or the date when the site was last updated

Ensure the author or organization responsible for the content is identified

Confirm that access dates are included if the source material is likely to change over time

Check that the document title is correct and complete

Verify the pinpoint reference, such as the page or paragraph number, is accurate

Ensure the date of the document is included

Confirm the source of the record material is correctly identified (e.g., trial transcript, docket number)

Legal Citation Checklist