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Bluebook Citations: A.L.R.

Guide to basic legal citations to the 20th ed. of The Bluebook.

Don't Forget This Rule

Rule 8 Capitalization (p. 91)

(a) Headings and titles.

Capitalize words in a heading or title, including the initial word and any word that immediately follows a colon. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions when they are four or fewer letters, unless they begin the heading or title, or immediately follow a colon.

A.L.R. Annotations

Citations are to the 20th edition of The Bluebook, A Uniform System of Citation.

Rule 16.7.6 Annotations (p. 168)

Cite discussions in selective case reporters (such as American Law Reports and Lawyer’s Reports Annotated) by the author’s full name, followed by the designation “Annotation” in ordinary roman type and the title of the work in italics:

Elaine K. Zipp, Annotation, Actions of Off-Duty Policeman Acting as Private Security Guard as Actions "Under Color of State Law" Actionable Under Civil Rights Act of 1871 (42 U.S.C.A. § 1983), 56 A.L.R. Fed. 895 (1982).

Points worth noting:

  1. Elaine K. Zipp, J.D. is listed as the author.  Exclude the J.D. [Do not include a designation such as “Dr.” or “Prof.” even if it appears on the title page. (R. 15.1)]
  2. The word, "Annotation," follows the author's name.  This designation immediately alerts the reader to the type of material being cited, a selective case reporter.
  3. It isn't clear in the Bluebook, but for A.L.R. annotations, they are cited to the book rather than commercial electronic databases like Westlaw or Lexis Advance.