The document provides an overview of AMA citation style, which differs from other styles like Bluebook. AMA style uses sequential numbers in superscript for citations rather than inline citations. References are listed in a reference section at the end. Court decisions, statutes, regulations, and unpublished documents each have their own formatting requirements in AMA style.

1. AMA-STYLE LEGAL CITATION FORMATTING
A GUIDE FOR LAWYERS, RECOVERING LAWYERS, AND PEOPLE
Kelli Boyden JD
The AMA Style Guide1
differs significantly from other manuals regarding citation formatting. The AMA Style
Guide sets forth a few citation rules, then incorporates Bluebook for the remainder. In some cases, Bluebook may
run counter to the AMA Style Guide, so it is important to check for a specific AMA format and fill in gaps with
Bluebook.2
NO INLINE CITATIONS
Generally, there are no inline citations. Rather than inserting a case or statute after an assertion, all references are
marked with a sequential number in superscript and then listed in a reference section. If one reference is used
multiple times, the same superscript number applies. There is no id. Similarly, supra and infra are not used.
NOT
One should refrain from eating filthy animals. Vincent v. Jules, 427 F.3d 1303, 1309 (9th Cir. 1994).
INSTEAD
One should refrain from eating filthy animals.1
THE EGO HAS DEFEATED THE ID (AND THE SUPRA AND THE INFRA)
There are no inline short cites and no short citation format. Rather than using a short cite or id. The same
superscript number is repeated. Similarly, there is no infra or supra.
NOT
As discussed above (See procedural posture, supra p. 7), one may benefit from walking the earth. Vincent, 427 F.3d
at 1308. Further, whether one has been to a volleyball game is a matter for the finder of fact. Id. at 1309. As
shown (See argument, infra p. 12.), deference to the fact finder is required here.
INSTEAD
As discussed above, one may benefit from walking the earth.1
Further, whether one has been to a volleyball game
is a matter for the finder of fact.1
As shown below, deference to the fact finder is required here.
COURT DECISIONS
Court decisions, or case law, refers to legal opinions issued by a court. Generally, the opinion decides all or part of
a dispute. It may end the case in favor of one party or the other, such as deciding Jules intentionally inflicted
emotional distress upon Vincent by pointing out Vincent’s food is derived from filthy animals. Alternatively, it may
end part of a case, such as granting an injunction to prevent Jules from leaving California to walk the earth while
the legal dispute is pending or decide a procedural issue that does not end the case, such as denying partial
summary judgment on the issue of whether Jules and Vincent were ever volleyball teammates.
Wrong citation format. See below for AMA style.
This refers to a numbered reference list that will
appear at the end.

2. FEDERAL CASE
Citations for a case typically include the following elements:
- Name of the case
- Volume number, abbreviated name, and series number (if any)
- Page in volume on which the case begin
- Page number referenced in the paper, if any
- Name of the court that rendered the opinion
Vincent v Jules, 464 F2d 772, 775 (9th Cir 1994).
Coolidge v National Boxing Federation, 379 F Supp 1934 (SD Tex 1995).
Missouri Belle Riverboat Casino v Navarro, (ED Mo 2021).
Estate of Roccamora v. Wallace, 848 NW2d 37 (Iowa 1997).
SUPREME COURT
Zed v. Wallace, 520 US 984 (1996).
STATE CASE
Citations for a state case can vary due to state efforts to democratize access to decisional law. State abbreviations
and methods of indexing cases vary wildly. Generally, state case citations include the followings elements:
- Name of the case.
- Volume number, reporter abbreviation, and page number.
- Abbreviation of the state:
- Year
- Page number reference in the paper, if any
Pumpkin v Honey Bunny, 789 AD 2d 321 (NY App Div 2001).
State Supreme Court
Vincent v Jules, 123 Cal Rptr 456 (Cal 2000).
LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS
Statutes are laws passed by a legislative body (not a judge or administrative agency).
Citations for statutes typically include the following elements:

3. FEDERAL
- Name of the act (if it helps clarify the nature of the law or reason for citing it)
- Volume number and name of the code
- Section number of the statute
- Year of the code
Wallet Identification Act, 136 USC §8 (1990).
STATE
- Elements same as above.
Mighty Long Time Sentencing Act, NY CLS §99.87 (1972).
ADMINISTRATIVE AND EXECUTIVE MATERIALS
GUIDANCE AND MISCELLANEOUS
These can take many forms, but general elements include:
- Name of the agency or executive office
- Title or description of the material
- Publication information (if available)
- Year of publication
US Department of Health and Human Services. Guidelines for determining if a given food tastes like pumpkin pie.
92 CFR §97. Revised March 10, 1994. Accessed August 4, 2023. https://www.thisisafakecitation.gov
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Citations for federal regulations typically include:
- Title number of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Part number
- Section number
- Year of the code
Protection of Charming Pigs, 98 CFR §79 (1965).
Payment for Drugs, Definitions. 42 CFR §447.502 (2015).
Taking bribes in boxing prohibited. Fed Regist. 1993;60(51):14202-14209.

4. UNPUBLISHED LITIGATION DOCUMENTS
Citations for documents filed in court but not part of an opinion vary, but may include:
-Document name
- Page number cited in paper
- Case citation (insofar as cited)
- Docket number
- Database information if applicable
Motion to Dismiss of Defendant-Appellee at 28, Capone v Ness, No. 35-10394 (7th
Cir. Nov.28, 1936).
THE END: REFERENCE LIST
1. Title the section "References."
2. Number references consecutively in the order they are first mentioned in the text.
3. Use a hanging indent for reference list entries.
4. Double-space between entries.
5. Single space within entries
REFERENCES
1. JAMA Network. AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. 11th
ed. Oxford University Press;
2020.
2. Harvard Law Review Ass’n. The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. 20th
ed. Gannett; 2018.