How to Cite a Legal Case in Turabian (9th Edition)

This guide explains how to format a legal case citation in Turabian (9th Edition). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a legal case in Turabian (9th Edition):

Template

Note: Case Name, Volume Reporter Page (Court Year). Bibliography: Case Name, Volume Reporter Page (Court Year). URL.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954). https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/347/483/.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Write the case name
Italicize the case name in the note. In the bibliography, it is not italicized.
2
Add the reporter information
Include the volume, reporter abbreviation, and starting page.
3
Include the court and year
In parentheses, include the court name (if needed) and year.
4
Add the URL if accessed online
Include the URL for online sources.
5
Note on bibliography inclusion
Legal cases may be cited only in notes. If included in the bibliography, they appear in a separate section or integrated alphabetically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Italicizing the case name in the bibliography (Turabian does not italicize case names in the bibliography).
Omitting the volume number and reporter abbreviation.
Not including the court name for lower court decisions.
Forgetting the URL for cases accessed online.
Placing the year outside the parenthetical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Turabian italicize case names?

In notes, case names are italicized. In the bibliography, they are not. This follows the same convention as Chicago.

Do legal cases go in the Turabian bibliography?

Turabian is flexible. Cases may appear only in notes, or they may be included in the bibliography. Check with your instructor.

How does Turabian differ from Bluebook for legal citations?

Turabian simplifies legal citations compared to Bluebook. It does not require the detailed abbreviation rules and signals that Bluebook uses.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your legal case:

Case Name
Volume
Reporter
Page
Court
Year

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Step-by-Step Guide

Write the case name

Italicize the case name in the note. In the bibliography, it is not italicized.

Add the reporter information

Include the volume, reporter abbreviation, and starting page.

Include the court and year

In parentheses, include the court name (if needed) and year.

Add the URL if accessed online

Include the URL for online sources.

Note on bibliography inclusion

Legal cases may be cited only in notes. If included in the bibliography, they appear in a separate section or integrated alphabetically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Italicizing the case name in the bibliography (Turabian does not italicize case names in the bibliography).

Omitting the volume number and reporter abbreviation.

Not including the court name for lower court decisions.

Forgetting the URL for cases accessed online.

Placing the year outside the parenthetical.