Using Shepard's Citations in LexisNexis Academic
Shepardizing refers to using the Shepard’s Citation Service to validate a citation. When a case is Shepardized, all opinions where that case has been mentioned/cited are reported. All treatments of the case are included. If a case has been overruled, for example, this case cannot be cited as legal precedent.
Shepardizing from within the full text of a case:
-Shepardize any US federal or state case in LexisNexis Academic
-View the full text 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
Shepardizing starting with a citation:
-If you know the legal citation in proper Blue Book format, use the Shepard's Citations form
-Click the "US Legal" search tab at the top of the LexisNexis Academic window.
-Select the "Shepard's" option from the menu at left
-Enter your citation in the proper format
-If you are unsure of the exact format to use, click the "Citations Formats" link next to the search box.
-Click the "Check" button
For more detail information in using Shepard's in LexisNexis Academic, see the LexisNexis Academic Wiki.
Shepard's Results in LexisNexis Academic
The Shepard's Report:
A Shepard's report for case law could include the following information, if available:
- Case name, citation, court designation, and year
- Prior case history and subsequent appellate history (direct history, and one level of indirect history, if any)
- Shepard's editorial analysis
- Citing references, including the following citations:
* Case law citations with editorial analysis
* Annotated statutes
* Law reviews
* Agency Decisions
* Restatements
In the sample report below, see:
-The "Restrict By" tool which limits the types of citations included in the report
-The Shepard's "Summary" which shows the number of citations and their treatment of the case being Shepardized.
-The “Signal” which shows the Shepardized case’s status
-Links to LexisNexis headnotes, which explain the points of law involved in the case and its treatment
Partial Sample Results for 277 F.3d 778:
Signals:
