Quick Bluebook Question - Depositions Forum

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BCgoUSC

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Quick Bluebook Question - Depositions

Post by BCgoUSC » Fri May 20, 2011 9:57 am

Quick Bluebook question that I can't figure out. I'm having trouble with citing to Depositions/Affidavits and using Id. in regards to these.

For Affidavits I believe the following is correct: "Johnson Aff. (paragraph symbol) 12." and when using Id., just "Id. (paragraph symbol) 14"

For Depositions I know the following is correct: "Johnson Dep. 12:13-17 (or is it 12:13-12:17?)"
What I'm having trouble with is using Id. with a Deposition. Bluebook suggests you don't use "at" when saying "Johnson Dep. ____" but what about with Id.? Do I do "Id. at 14:15" or just "Id. 14:15"

I've searched the Bluebook high and low and all I know is you don't use "at" when using the word Dep. or Aff., but all I can find on using Id. is that you don't use "at" if there is a paragraph or section symbol.

Can someone shed some light on this for me?

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zanda

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Re: Quick Bluebook Question - Depositions

Post by zanda » Fri May 20, 2011 10:17 am

Are you cheating on your write-on or this for something you can get help within in accordance with the rules/law?

BCgoUSC

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Re: Quick Bluebook Question - Depositions

Post by BCgoUSC » Fri May 20, 2011 10:31 am

No - I start my write-on tonight - haven't even opened the file (we have 72 hours to finish after we open the file). And that is closed universe based on cases/articles - not an actual case with depositions. I just started a summer job and want to make sure I get things right in my first memo. Never had to cite to a deposition in Legal Writing class

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I.P. Daly

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Re: Quick Bluebook Question - Depositions

Post by I.P. Daly » Fri May 20, 2011 10:36 am

Here is the proper depo citation: "Smith Dep. [page#]:[line#]-[page#]:[line#]."

I'm not sure about id. though.

BCgoUSC

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Re: Quick Bluebook Question - Depositions

Post by BCgoUSC » Fri May 20, 2011 10:52 am

Okay - thank you! So even if it's on the same page? "Jones Dep. 12:12-12:23" or "Jones Dep. 12:12-23"?

And if anyone could clear up the Id. thing, it has been driving me crazy. Thanks!

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Renzo

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Re: Quick Bluebook Question - Depositions

Post by Renzo » Fri May 20, 2011 9:14 pm

BCgoUSC wrote:Okay - thank you! So even if it's on the same page? "Jones Dep. 12:12-12:23" or "Jones Dep. 12:12-23"?

And if anyone could clear up the Id. thing, it has been driving me crazy. Thanks!
I'm going to take you at your word that you aren't cheating, and tell you to look at rule B7.2 on pg. 21
Bluepages Tip: For court documents, id. should only be used if significant space will be saved.

goodolgil

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Re: Quick Bluebook Question - Depositions

Post by goodolgil » Fri May 20, 2011 10:24 pm

Renzo wrote:
BCgoUSC wrote:Okay - thank you! So even if it's on the same page? "Jones Dep. 12:12-12:23" or "Jones Dep. 12:12-23"?

And if anyone could clear up the Id. thing, it has been driving me crazy. Thanks!
I'm going to take you at your word that you aren't cheating, and tell you to look at rule B7.2 on pg. 21
Bluepages Tip: For court documents, id. should only be used if significant space will be saved.
FWIW, my legal practice instructor (who spent years in Biglaw) basically had us ignore that tip (and thus use id. normally). It was surprising because he never told us to contradict anything else in the Bluebook. But it's still probably your best bet to follow that tip.

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