Volume I, Chapter §10.5
Introduction to Citation Form

Citing State Statutes


§10.5    

Introduction
State statutes vary greatly, so in this course we will teach you Bluebook form. However, your instructor may want to provide a more local version of state statutory citations.

Example of a state statute

 

Lecture Notes . . .

Citing state and federal statutes is not difficult. The only confusing aspect is that you don't cite page and volume numbers. Instead you cite the publication and appropriate title, chapter, and section number (depending on how your state sets up its statutory numbering system).

For instance, Colorado cites the Colorado Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 11, Section 449 as:

C.R.S. 16.11-449

But other states ignore the Title, citing only the Chapter and Section Number. Nevada cites Nevada Revised Statutes Title V, Chapter 42, Section 110 as:

N.R.S. 42.110

In other words, you must explore your statutes, observe how they are cited, and become familiar with that system. You can visit the Law Library section of this Website , researching in State Sources.

The above are examples of how Bluebook statutory citations differ greatly from the most common local forms. Bluebook would command that the Colorado statutes be cited as Colo. Rev. Stat., and Nevada would be Nev. Rev. Stat.

I know. A bit confusing now. But it won't be for long!