Usually, a court case is referred to by name and number (for example, Carson vs. Here’s Johnny Portable Toilets [698 F.2d 831]). I remember reading here once before what government book these numbers referred to (page number and such), but I have forgotten. What is the book/file?
The citation depends on where the case is from; it’s a cite to various reporters published to contain the numerous decisions from courts. The first number is the volume number, the middle part is the reporter and edition, and the last part is the page number. In your example, you could find the case in Volume 698 of the Federal Reporter, Second Edition, page 831.
I think I found it. The Federal Reporter
The example you gave, 698 F.2d 831, refers to Volume 698 of the Federal Reporter, 2d Edition, at page 831.
Published U.S. federal cases are reprinted in the following “official” reporters (there are other, “unofficial” reporters that may also print them):
U.S. Supreme Court – The U.S. Reporter. Example:
47 U.S. 234 (e.g., volume 47, page 234).
U.S. Courts of Appeal – The Federal Reporter (Volumes 1 and 2):
232 F. 100 (Volume 232, page 100, of the 1st edition)
314 F.2d 215 (Volume 314, page 215 of the 2d edition)
U.S. District Courts - the Federal Supplement:
416 F.Supp. 237 (Volume 416 F.Supp. 237)
Not all cases are published, but those that are get published roughly as they are decided, so the cases in Volume 100 are a bit earlier than those in 101, etc.
Each state also has its own “official reporters” for the state courts, and there are other “unofficial reporters” and “regional reporters” that publish too.
All of this is explained in nauseating detail in a book known to every lawyer and available in every legal bookstore called “The Bluebook.”
I. There are three series of reports for the U. S. Supreme Court:
- United States Supreme Court Reports (in citation, volume number, US page number). Official.
- United States Supreme Court Reports, Lawyers’ Edition (XX L.Ed. XX); second series (XX L.Ed. 2d XX). Unofficial. Uses “star paging” to match page to official reports.
-
United States Supreme Court Reporter (XX S. Ct. XXXX)–published by West Publishing, as all with “Reporter” are, federal and State. Unofficial, but often easier to read and use.
Begun in late 19th Century. Unofficial. Uses “star paging.”
Case law in Supreme Court decisions applies everywhere in United States.
II. Federal Reporter (3 series) and Federal Supplement (2 series). Published by West. Unofficial.
Case law applies only in Circuit or District as named in decision.
III. In each state the setup is different. In California the State Supreme Court decisions appear in Cal (California State Supreme Court Reports), Cal 2d, Cal 3d, Cal4th, all official; and California Reporter and Pacific Reporter (2 series each). Both of the latter are published by West and are unofficial; Pacific Reporter includes State Supreme Court rulings from most Western states.
California Appellate Court decisions appear in Cal.App. (California Appellate Court Reports), 2d, 3d, 4th Series, official, as well as the unofficial West’s California Reporter.