Citators developed as a way to check that a case was still good law. They are useful in a variety of contexts – updating statutes, finding additional sources, etc., but they are really important in determining whether you can rely on a case. Because cases are published chronologically and geographically, they are not ever organized by subject or updated the way statutes are. Without a citator, there’s no way to tell if a case has been overturned or otherwise criticized or questioned
- Tools for validating your case research built in to electronic databases: Shepard’s (Lexis) and Key Cite (WL)
- They compile the prior and subsequent history of a case, including other sources that cite it.
- Most important function is to help you determine that your research is up to date and that a case (or statute) is still good law.
- Also an excellent tool for expanding your research
