Define: Citator

A citator is a legal research tool that provides information about the subsequent history and treatment of a case or statute. It helps determine if a case or statute is still good law and if it has been cited or referenced in other legal documents.

A citator can be extremely useful in legal research as it allows researchers to track the history and impact of a case or statute. It helps identify if a case has been overruled, distinguished, or followed by other courts, providing valuable context and guidance for legal arguments.

A citator typically provides information such as the subsequent appellate history of a case, any subsequent citing references, treatment by other courts, and any related secondary sources or commentary. It may also include information on subsequent amendments or modifications to a statute.

Citators are often available through legal research databases or online platforms. Many legal research tools, such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, offer citator services as part of their subscription packages. Some citators may also be available in print form in law libraries.

Yes, citators can be used for both case law and statutes. They provide information on the subsequent history and treatment of both, allowing researchers to assess their current validity and relevance.

Citators are typically available for specific jurisdictions, such as federal or state jurisdictions. However, some citators may cover multiple jurisdictions or have international coverage, depending on the research tool or platform being used.

Citators are generally considered reliable sources of information, but it is important to use them in conjunction with other research methods. While they provide valuable insights, they should not be solely relied upon for making legal determinations.

Yes, a citator can help you find related cases or statutes. By examining the citing references and treatment of a particular case or statute, you can identify other legal authorities that have discussed or relied upon it.

Yes, a citator can help you determine the current status of a case or statute. It provides information on whether a case has been overruled, reversed, or modified, and whether a statute has been amended or repealed.

While many citator services require a subscription or access fee, there are also some free citator services available online. These free services may have limitations in terms of coverage or functionality, but they can still provide useful information for basic legal research.