Shepard's Citations
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====Starting with a known citation==== | ====Starting with a known citation==== | ||
| + | * If you know the legal citation in proper Blue Book citation format you can Shepardize immediately | ||
* Click the "Legal" search tab at the top of the LexisNexis Academic browser window. | * Click the "Legal" search tab at the top of the LexisNexis Academic browser window. | ||
* Select the "Shepard's" option from the navigation menu at left | * Select the "Shepard's" option from the navigation menu at left | ||
| − | * Enter your citation. | + | * Enter your citation in the proper format, for example: 349 U.S. 294 |
| + | * If you are unsure of the exact format to use, click the "Citations Formats" link next to the search box. | ||
* Click the "Check" button | * Click the "Check" button | ||
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When the LexisNexis® research services display your Shepard's report, click the FOCUS™ - Restrict By link to customize your report. Click the case name links within the list of citing references to view the full text of a particular case. Click your Back button to return to previously displayed pages. | When the LexisNexis® research services display your Shepard's report, click the FOCUS™ - Restrict By link to customize your report. Click the case name links within the list of citing references to view the full text of a particular case. Click your Back button to return to previously displayed pages. | ||
Revision as of 16:52, 9 December 2008
Contents |
Shepard's Citations
The Shepard's Citations Service provides a comprehensive case citation and treatment history to verify the validity of case law, statutes, agency opinions, and other legal documents. Only case law is covered in LexisNexis Academic.
Shepardizing™ is the practice of using the Shepard's Citations Service to validate a citation.
When you Shepardize® a case, LexisNexis provides a report showing every opinion where that case has been referenced, all treatments of the case, and, most importantly, whether or not the case is "good law." If the case has been overruled, it is considered "bad law" and may no longer be cited as a legal precedent.
Using the Shepard's® Citations Service in LexisNexis Academic to find out the status of a case.
While looking at the full-text view of a case
- You can Shepardize® any US federal or state case in LexisNexis Academic
- Open the full text view of the case
- Use the "Next Steps" dropdown box at the top right of the case to select "Shepardize®" OR click on the Shepard's Signal at top left
Starting with a known citation
- If you know the legal citation in proper Blue Book citation format you can Shepardize immediately
- Click the "Legal" search tab at the top of the LexisNexis Academic browser window.
- Select the "Shepard's" option from the navigation menu at left
- Enter your citation in the proper format, for example: 349 U.S. 294
- If you are unsure of the exact format to use, click the "Citations Formats" link next to the search box.
- Click the "Check" button
When the LexisNexis® research services display your Shepard's report, click the FOCUS™ - Restrict By link to customize your report. Click the case name links within the list of citing references to view the full text of a particular case. Click your Back button to return to previously displayed pages.
Reading the Shepard's Report
Shepard's Signals
The Shepard's Signal Marker indicates the standing of your case as treated by other cases.
| Signal | Description | Details |
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Warning | Negative treatment indicated. Includes the following analyses:
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Questioned | Validity questioned by citing references. Includes the following analyses:
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Caution | Possible negative treatment indicated. Includes the following analyses:
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Positive | Positive treatment indicated.
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Citing References with Analysis | Other cases cited the case and assigned some analysis that is not considered positive or negative. Includes the following analyses:
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Citation Information | References have not applied any analysis to the citation. For example the case was cited by case law or law reviews that do not warrant an analysis. Includes the analysis:
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