The Citation Code
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The Citation Code · Original reference

A working reference, from law school to practice.

Find the source. Locate the passage. Check the support. Write a citation your reader can use.

Original research draft 1 · October 8, 2026

16 chapters · 40 PDF pages · By Matthew D. Giron

New explanations, fictional teaching examples, and editorial practices, researched from official sources. Court requirements are tied to their jurisdictions. This draft has not completed independent attorney review or comprehensive local-rule review.

Start readingDownload the PDFResearch and source data

Inside the reference

  1. Using This Reference
  2. 1. Start with the Reader's Task
  3. 2. Establish the Receiving Requirements
  4. 3. Build a Source Record
  5. 4. Identify Judicial Opinions
  6. 5. Find the Exact Supporting Passage
  7. 6. Explain the Source's Relationship to the Sentence
  8. 7. Quote and Edit Faithfully
  9. 8. Shorten References Safely
  10. 9. Cite Constitutions and Legislation
  11. 10. Cite Regulations, Rules, and Agency Materials
  12. 11. Cite Litigation Documents and Records
  13. 12. Cite Scholarship and Digital Publications
  14. 13. Approach International, Foreign, and Tribal Sources
  15. 14. Work Across Law School and Practice
  16. 15. Use Data and Automation Responsibly
  17. 16. Finish and Maintain the Document
  18. Quick Forms and Editorial Choices
  19. Glossary and Subject Finder
  20. Source Register

For guided lessons, exercises, and answers, visit the separate Teaching Edition. This original reference has its own manuscript and source record.