Statutes, regulations, rules and constitutions

How to cite a state court rule

Cite a state court rule by the abbreviation the state’s own courts use for the rule set, then the rule number—no section sign, and no year for a rule now in force.

The same rule reads differently from state to state: Ohio prints “Civ.R. 85,” Michigan “MCR 1.101,” Mississippi “M.R.C.P. 85.” The book’s Table A gives each state’s forms.

12 real examples

Each citation is printed as the book prints it, from an authority the book checked against its source.

Ind. Trial Rule 6(I).
The authority
- Ind. Trial Rule 6 (Time) (Indiana Supreme Court, July 1, 2026)Source (rules.incourts.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
Mass. R. Civ. P. 85.
The authority
- Mass. R. Civ. P. 85 (Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, July 1, 1974)Source (mass.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
M.R. Civ. P. 85.
The authority
- M.R. Civ. P. 85 (Maine Supreme Judicial Court, Dec. 1, 1959)Source (courts.maine.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
Minn. R. Civ. P. 85.
The authority
- Minn. R. Civ. P. 85 (Minnesota Supreme Court, Jan. 1, 1952)Source (revisor.mn.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
M.R.C.P. 85.
The authority
- M.R.C.P. 85 (Supreme Court of Mississippi, Jan. 1, 1982)Source (courts.ms.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
NRCP 85.
The authority
- NRCP 85 (Supreme Court of Nevada, Mar. 1, 2019)Source (leg.state.nv.us)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
Civ.R. 85.
The authority
- Civ.R. 85 (Supreme Court of Ohio, July 1, 1970)Source (supremecourt.ohio.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
N.D.R.Civ.P. 85.
The authority
- N.D.R.Civ.P. 85 (North Dakota Supreme Court, Aug. 1, 1998)Source (ndcourts.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
SDCL 15-6-85.
The authority
- SDCL 15-6-85 (South Dakota Supreme Court (rules codified by the Legislature), July 1, 1966)Source (sdlegislature.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
Rule 85(a), SCRCP.
The authority
- Rule 85(a), SCRCP (Supreme Court of South Carolina)Source (sccourts.org)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
M. R. Evid. 100.
The authority
- Mont. R. Evid. 100 (Montana Supreme Court)Source (courts.mt.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders
R.I. R. Evid. 100.
The authority
- R.I. R. Evid. 100 (Rhode Island Supreme Court)Source (courts.ri.gov)
Where the book teaches this
- 13.10 Court rules, local rules and standing orders