Chapter 4 Citing Authority

§4.1 Forms of Legal Writing Mandatory Authority = Valid law from higher authority with the court’s jurisdiction Persuasive Authority = Valid law not from higher authority or from a different jurisdiction

State CourtsFederal Courts United States Supreme Court State CourtsFederal Courts United States Supreme Court US Supreme Court US Circuit Court Court of Appeals US District Court Trial Court State Supreme Court Intermediate Court of Appeals State Trial Court

§4.5 Real World Citations 1. Check above the caption for parallel citations: 1. Check above the caption for parallel citations: 230 Neb. 842 SECURITY STATE BANK, A Nebraska Banking Banking Corporation, Appellant, v. Raymond L. GUGELMAN, Appellee. 2. If no parallel citation, Shepardize 2. If no parallel citation, Shepardize 3. Citation form in publication may be incorrect 3. Citation form in publication may be incorrect 4. Title = capitalized letters of case 4. Title = capitalized letters of case HEATHERRIDGE MANAGEMENT COMPANY v. BENSON Colo. 435 Cite as, Colo. 558 P.2d 435 HEATHERRIDGE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, Petitioner, v. Patrick BENSON, Respondent. No. C-756 Supreme Court of Colorado En Banc. Dec. 6, 1976 Rehearing Denied Jan. 24, Tenant brought action seeking recovery of security deposit, treble damages, and attorneys’ fees from landlord who allegedly wrongfully withheld security deposit. The evidence supported a finding that the landlord’s leasing agent released tenant from last two months of his lease obligation and had apparent authority to do so. Affirmed. ________________________________________________________ Cite as: Heatherridge Management Co. v. Benson, 558 P.2d 435 (Colo. 1976)

Alcorn v.Smith, 781 F.2d 58 (6 th Cir. 1986)

§4.6 Pinpoint Citations Pinpointing = locating quote within case Pinpointing = locating quote within case Smith v. Jones, 930 F.2d 308 (8 th Cir. 1998) Pinpoint: Smith v. Jones, 930 F.2d 308, 315 (8 th Cir. 1998) Quote is found on page 315 of volume 930 of Federal Reporter, 2d series

Pinpoint this case to 67: Alcorn v. Smith, 781 F.2d 58, 67 (6 th Cir. 1986)

Parallel Pinpoint Parallel Pinpoint In re Jones, 98 Nev. 113, 351 P.2d 714 (1979) Pinpoint Citation: In re Jones, 98 Nev. 113, 115, 351 P.2d 714, 717 (1979)  Supra Used for cases fully cited above in text In Smith v. Jones, 584 F.2d 431 (4 th Cir. 1989), the court held: … the court cannot provide relief when the Plaintiff fails to state ca claim upon which relief can be granted. Smith, supra. at 436. or 584 F.2d at 436 or Id. at 436

§4.8 Star Pagination Provides parallel pagination cite *115* [115] [343 U.S. 115] Indicates where page begins in unofficial publication Official Publication Unofficial Publication