Legal Research & Writing Flashcards

Under the Bluebook, when is 'Id.' properly used?

Answer: To refer to the immediately preceding cited authority

'Id.' refers to the authority cited immediately before, when there is only one such source.

According to the Bluebook, 'supra' generally may NOT be used to refer back to which type of authority?

Answer: Cases

Bluebook Rule 4.2 bars 'supra' for cases, statutes, and regulations, which use short forms instead.

Under the Bluebook, which signal indicates the cited authority clearly supports the proposition but does not directly state it?

Answer: See

'See' is used when the proposition is not directly stated but obviously follows from the authority.

What does the citation signal 'Cf.' communicate?

Answer: The authority supports a proposition analogous to the one stated

'Cf.' means the authority supports a different but sufficiently analogous proposition.

Which signal shows that the cited authority clearly supports a proposition contrary to the main proposition?

Answer: But see

'But see' is the contrary-authority counterpart of 'see.'

In the citation 'Brown v. Bd. of Educ., 347 U.S. 483, 495 (1954),' what does '495' represent?

Answer: The pinpoint page where the cited material appears

The pinpoint cite directs the reader to the exact page supporting the proposition.

Under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 32.1, may a federal court prohibit citation of an unpublished federal opinion issued on or after January 1, 2007?

Answer: No, courts may not prohibit or restrict such citation

FRAP 32.1 bars courts from prohibiting citation of unpublished federal opinions issued on or after January 1, 2007.