Citing The First Amendment: Blue Book Style

how to cite the us constitution first amendment blue book

The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is used to standardise legal citations. The 20th edition of The Bluebook outlines that when citing the US Constitution, you should combine the abbreviated geographic region from Table 10 with the word CONST. in small caps typeface. Abbreviate subdivisions according to Table 16. For example, the citation for Article 1, Section 9, Clause 2 of the US Constitution is U.S. CONST. art. I, § 9, cl. 2. If the provision is no longer in force, indicate the year and action of the repeal or amendment in parentheses.

Characteristics Values
Format U.S. Const. amend. I, § [section number]
Abbreviation U.S.
Article U.S. CONST. art. I, § 9, cl. 2
Clause U.S. Const. amend. I, § [section number], cl. [clause number]
Section U.S. Const. amend. I, § [section number]
Current Provisions No date needed if the constitutional provision is still in force
Repealed/Amended Provisions Indicate parenthetically either the year and action, or cite the repealing/amending provision in full

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Citing the US Constitution's first article, section 9, clause 2

When citing the US Constitution's first article, section 9, clause 2, the correct format to follow is:

U.S. Const. art. I, § 9, cl. 2.

This is the standard format for citing the US Constitution according to the Bluebook, a style guide that provides a uniform system of citation for legal documents. The Bluebook specifies that when citing the US Constitution, one should use the abbreviation "U.S." before the word "Const." to indicate the United States Constitution.

The specific clause being referenced here is the "Suspension Clause" or the "Writ of Habeas Corpus Clause." It states:

> The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

This clause protects the right of individuals to challenge their detention or imprisonment before a court. It prohibits Congress from suspending this right unless there are compelling reasons of public safety due to rebellion or invasion.

Amendment XVI: Income Tax and Congress

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US Constitution first amendment: U.S. Const. amend

The Bluebook, A Uniform System of Citation, is a style guide that prescribes the most widely used legal citation system in the United States. The 20th edition of The Bluebook provides the following format for citing the United States Constitution, 14th Amendment, Section 2: U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2.

To cite the First Amendment of the United States Constitution in Bluebook style, the correct citation would be: U.S. Const. amend. I. This citation format follows the same structure as the example provided in the 20th edition of The Bluebook, with "I" representing the first amendment.

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a critical component of the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution. It serves as a cornerstone of American democracy and a fundamental protector of individual liberties. The First Amendment broadly safeguards several essential freedoms, including freedom of religion, speech, and the press, along with the rights to assemble peacefully and petition the government.

The text of the First Amendment is as follows: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The First Amendment's scope and implications have been extensively interpreted and debated over the years, with numerous Supreme Court cases shaping its understanding. The Amendment has been pivotal in establishing the separation of church and state, prohibiting governmental preference or interference with religion, and safeguarding the free exercise of religious practices. Additionally, it has been instrumental in protecting free speech and press rights, encompassing the freedom to express opinions and disseminate information without censorship or restraint by the government.

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Citing the US Constitution's 14th Amendment, Section 2

The Bluebook style is widely used for legal citation in the United States. The correct Bluebook citation for the 14th Amendment, Section 2 of the US Constitution is:

> U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2.

This is according to Rule 11 of the Bluebook, which states that when citing constitutions, the only short cite allowed is "Id".

The 14th Amendment addresses many aspects of citizenship and the rights of citizens. It was passed by Congress on June 13, 1866, and ratified on July 9, 1868. The amendment changed a portion of Article I, Section 2, and a portion of it was later changed by the 26th Amendment.

The full text of the 14th Amendment, Section 2 is:

> "Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State."

This section of the 14th Amendment sets out the requirements for representation in Congress, including the condition that representation must be reduced if the right to vote is denied or abridged for male citizens over the age of 21.

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Citing the South Carolina Constitution, Article 1, Section 12

When citing the South Carolina Constitution, Article 1, Section 12, the correct format is as follows:

Firstly, the abbreviation "S.C." is used to denote the South Carolina Constitution. This is analogous to using "U.S." when citing the United States Constitution.

Secondly, the word "Const." is included, which is short for Constitution.

Thirdly, the specific article and section being referenced are cited. In this case, it is Article 1, Section 12, which is also known as the Double Jeopardy Clause.

Putting this all together, the correct citation for the South Carolina Constitution, Article 1, Section 12 is:

> S.C. Const. art. I, § 12.

This format ensures that legal citations are uniform and easily identifiable, adhering to the standards set by The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. For example, when citing the United States Constitution, 14th Amendment, Section 2, the correct format is:

> U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2.

Or, when referring to Article 1, Section 9, Clause 2, the citation would be:

> U.S. Const. art. I, § 9, cl. 2.

These standardized citation formats ensure clarity and consistency in legal writing, enabling readers to quickly identify the specific constitutional provision being referenced.

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US Constitution: abbreviating and citing

The Bluebook style guide is a citation system traditionally used in American legal writing, and its rules are also applied in some other disciplines. The guide, which is currently in its 20th edition, outlines how to cite the US Constitution, including its various amendments.

To cite the US Constitution in Bluebook style, you should begin with "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers. The terms article, amendment, section, and clause are abbreviated to "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl.," respectively.

For example, to cite the first article of the US Constitution, section 9, clause 2, the citation would appear as:

> U.S. Const. art. I, § 9, cl. 2.

This format can be adapted to cite specific amendments. For instance, to cite the 14th Amendment, section 2, the citation would be:

> U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2.

It is important to note that when citing the US Constitution in Bluebook style, you are not permitted to use a short cite other than "Id." This is according to Rule 11 of the Bluebook, which governs the citation of constitutional sections.

Additionally, when citing specific state constitutions, the format is similar but with the state abbreviation included, for example:

> Haw. Const. art. IX, § 1, cl. 2.

> S.C. Const. art. I, § 12.

Frequently asked questions

U.S. Const. amend. I, § 1

Use the abbreviation "U.S." before the word "Const." For example, U.S. Const. art. IV, § 1.

If the constitutional provision has been amended, indicate the year and action in parentheses. For example, U.S. CONST. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933).

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