Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with citation

Oregon legal definition of good cause

herda05 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:08:42 -0800

I received a parking ticket, ended up paying late, and now I am looking to file an affidavit for relief. What qualifies as "good cause" in Oregon? I received a parking ticket and sent out my payment electronically through my bank's bill pay. Either due to a browser session problem, the switch over from WAMU to Chase, or simply stupid user error, the payment never got issued to the County. I received a second notice and an increased fine, which I paid promptly after explaining what happened. The traffic person on the phone kindly informed me I could file an affidavit with the court asking for relief and they could refund the money. She sent the affidavit and I'm filling it out now. The affidavit says that relief will be granted for "good cause". My question is, what qualifies as "good cause"? How do I explain browser sessions, dropped packets, bank mergers, and/or stupid user error as "good cause" so I can get my $90 back?

Author, Date, ISBN?

strixus — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:40:15 -0800

A question for those who know far more than I do about citation formats: why do none of them include ISBN numbers? So, in working on a large project, and fighting with EndNote the entire time, I found the fastest way to keep track of books, especially when using multiple editions, was to reference them by ISBN-10 (13 works well too, but 10 seemed easier) numbers. EndNote's database will record these, happily, for all works that take them.

But then I got to thinking (rather than writing, like I should have been) - why do no modern citation formats use ISBN for referencing texts that have them? I understand they wouldn't be useful for items without ISBN numbers, but those require different citation formats anyway. Why not exclude publisher, city, and year, in favor of an ISBN? Or along side one?

So, I suppose what I am asking is the following: why ISBN's are not used as a reference point for citation in modern citation formats?

What do you do when the court has no record of your "crime"?

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:12:00 -0800

I received a traffic ticket for driving without headlights on in Los Angeles, but now the court has no record of my citation. What do I do now? I was cited during the evening of October 4th for "Driving without Lights on During Darkness." I had only been driving for a few blocks when I was pulled over and hadn't noticed my lights weren't on. For what it's worth, it was a fairly busy street that was well-lit at the time.

Anyway, the ticket says that I must appear at the courthouse by November 18 but I haven't received a courtesy notice in the mail yet. Assuming that the notice must've been lost in the mail, I checked the court's website and they have no record of a citation. I've searched the database with both my driver's license and citation number, but nothing comes up, even though it's past the "21 days" it sometimes takes for the citation to appear in the system.

I've called the court and navigated the automated phone system, but they have no record of it either. I tried to speak to an operator but the system was "too busy" so an automated message said to try the call at a later time.

Is it possible that the police officer, after the fact, realized how brightly lit the street was and decided to discard the ticket or not process it? Incidentally, I later learned that there was a full moon that evening, which could be counted as an extenuating circumstance, something which the officer might have realized himself. I don't know how likely that is or if it's even possible (or just wishful thinking on my part).

Does anyone have any experience with this or advice about what I should do? At this point, I'm leaning towards just going to the courthouse, which is a hassle, but would presumably settle the matter once and for all. On the other hand, I would like to avoid bringing the ticket to the court's attention if it somehow fell through the cracks and there's otherwise no record of it. Please help me, hivemind!

If anyone has any follow-up questions or would like to reply anonymously, my email is wheresmytrafficticket@gmail.com.

Thanks!

Busted by the pen nazi

hollyanderbody — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:42:00 -0800

I got a traffic citation last night, and I think the cop was a dick. I want to report him, but I want to do it the right way. What do you think? I was driving home from work last night in my husband's work truck, and he pulled me over because one of the tail light covers was broken, making the tail light white. Also the license plate was not illuminated, and partially obscured by the trailer hitch ball thing. Yes, I know, but my driving was scrupulously correct, and people were passing me left and right. I admit, I wasn't cheerful. I was anoyed. I had to call my husband asking where the registration and insurance was, and the heater is broken so I was freezing. The cop comes back and explains that he is giving me a warning, and hands me the clip-board to sign. I had my pen ready and began to sign my name, and he pushes his (cheap) ball point pen at me and says, kinda beauracratically, (I don't recall the exact verbage of any of the exchange, so I'm paraphrasing) "Use this one". So I said "Why" and he said "just use this one" and I said "why? this is a regular ball point pen" (it was a Zebra F-301 ball point. It wasn't a purple glitter gel pen with a fuzzy cap and a bell). He says, pulling away the clip board, "You want me to go back and make this a citation?" I was incredulous. I asked again "what is wrong with me using this pen" He said again "You want this to be a citation? Is that what you want?" So I took his pen and went to take back the clip board, and as I did so I said " I'm going to report you." and he grabbed back the pen and clip board and said " ok you just got yourself a citation".

He goes back to his car, and later returns with the citation, handing it to me, along with his stupid pen. I took the clip board, and began to sign it with my pen; Whats he gonna do about it at this point? He actually hadn't figured that bit out yet because he again asked me to use his pen! I said "What are you gonna do if I don't, arrest me?" He nodded in concession, I signed my citation, and he stalked away without another word.

OK so I know my getting to use my pen on what is now a $103 citation phyrric victory. My husband says I should have been cheerful and compliant, and just gone along with him so as to minimize the damage a person with power over me can inflict. I know that is the more practical approach, but WTF! Is it really ok to threaten me with a citation because I question his insistance that I use his goddam cheap ass pen?!

I don't want to argue this in court; not the right forum. I do wish to report him to his supervisors. I'm sure more level headed, and reasonable people in law enforcement would want to know that one of their officers is an immature jerk on a power trip. I think something like this should go in his file...

Hive mind, how best to report this? Thanks

Help me organize research

rbf1138 — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:26:50 -0800

Zotero, Scrapbook, Papers, Evernote, etc. What should I be using to best organize materials for a research paper? There are lots of research organization software/browser plug-ins available now, and trying to make sense of which to use (whether standalone or in conjunction) is giving me a headache. I'd like to be able to take notes alongside either text from websites or PDFs, store, sort, and view PDFs, create citations/bibliographies, etc. Which of these and/or other tools will help me do that?

Seems to me if you can't trust, you can't be trusted

arcticwoman — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:53:00 -0800

A person's self-rated trustworthiness (how trustworthy you think you are) is correlated with their levels of trust (how willing you are to trust others). Where could I have possibly read this? I am going crazy. I read an assertion to the effect that self-rated trustworthiness correlates with willingness to trust, and I based a section of my thesis on that argument. The problem is, I read so much, so fast, and didn't take adequate notes, and so now I can't for the life of me recall where I read it. And with keywords like "trust" and "trustworthiness" - even "self-rated trustworthiness" - my searches are coming up with millions of unrelated articles and books.

Does anyone have any idea where I could have read this?

Prisoner's Dilemma citation

arcticwoman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:33:32 -0800

How do I cite the originators of the Prisoner's Dilemma (in my thesis) when it looks like none of them actually published anything on it? The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy says this:

Puzzles with the structure of the prisoner's dilemma were devised and discussed by Merrill Flood and Melvin Dresher in 1950, as part of the Rand Corporation's investigations into game theory (which Rand pursued because of possible applications to global nuclear strategy). The title “prisoner's dilemma” and the version with prison sentences as payoffs are due to Albert Tucker, who wanted to make Flood and Dresher's ideas more accessible to an audience of Stanford psychologists. Although Flood and Dresher didn't themselves rush to publicize their ideas in external journal articles, the puzzle attracted widespread attention in a variety of disciplines. Christian Donninger reports that “more than a thousand articles” about it were published in the sixties and seventies.

I can't find any direct citations, any original articles where this game was formulated/formalized. When I look at research that has used the PD, most don't bother to cite anyone for the formulation of the game. Am I just missing something? Do I just cite (for example) the 1993 Poundstone book where the origination is described?

I knew I should have paid more attention in Hebrew School. I can't read a thing

Arbac — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:44:42 -0800

Need help finding a citation to an Israeli Law. A translation would be great too. I'm working on a paper about immunity from seizure for international art loans and I'm having trouble tracking down the exact citation and wording of the Israeli Law that they recently passed granting Art Loans immunity from seizure.

An article about the law says "The law, called Immunity from Seizure for Loans to Israel, initiated by the Israel Museum and shepherded through the Knesset by the Education, Culture and Sports Committee and its chairman MK Michael Melchior (Labor), passed in early 2007." Unfortunately they did not provide a citation :-(

If anyone could provide me with a citation for this law, a place I can find it online, and a translation, that would be fantastic! Although just an official citation would be enough for my needs if you don't feel like translating.

Thanks!

Surname?

hannahlambda — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:47:24 -0800

Which is the surname? "A. Selmi M’henni" - what's the surname?

i.e. what goes first in an academic citation?

BibTeX style for Turabian-style citations?

cmyers — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:30:37 -0800

I need a comprehensive BibTeX style for the Turabian format. My high school requires juniors to write their research papers with Turabian-style citations. We have a subscription to NoodleBib, which I'm using to compile my notes, but I'd like to dump it all into my BibTeX and let LaTeX worry about my citations so I don't have to.

Though there are many Chicago BibTeX styles, I've yet to find a comprehensive style for the Turabian format. I'd be grateful for any pointers the hive mind might have.

Quoth the Pirate

cachondeo45 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:03:40 -0800

[Discography filter] How do I cite a pirated CD? I do research in an area where 90% of available music is pirated. In fact, most musical groups depend on piracy for maximum exposure. Regardless of your opinion on the matter of piracy, I am wondering what is the best way to cite a pirated CD in a discography. I cite lyrics from some songs that are only available on pirated format. I can guesstimate the year the pirated CD was "released" (turnover is pretty high), but the titles of the discs are super generic (such as "Best Hits Ever" and the like). Is there an appropriate way to do this? Or do I just keep it to footnotes and explain the sort of non-origin of the CD? (And of course, it may be irrelevant, but I'm using a format similar to APA.)

If I mess up this paper I won't graduate.

you zombitch — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:47:08 -0800

MLA citation filter: How would I go about citing a footnote in a text that is not written by the author of the text? For example, I am writing about a poem in an anthology, and I will be making use of some of the information provided in the footnotes. How would I cite those parenthetically? Google has just turned up instructions on how to do citations, and I can't seem to find anything on this in my MLA handbook.

Should I plead not guilty on a possession citation?

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:23:35 -0800

Citation 221.05 in NYC for possession. Should I plead not guilty, or suck this up? I was in someone's car when they were pulled over for a minor driving violation (think not signaling, etc). The police claimed to smell marijuana and asked to search, which they then proceeded to do. They found a pipe but no marijuana. Both of us were given a citation to appear in court. I am definitely considering pleading "not guilty".

This is my first offense of any kind, ever, including parking tickets, so I'm naturally pretty upset and feeling self-righteous. However, $100 and $100 for the court date is much cheaper than hiring a lawyer. Additionally since nothing was found on my person and it was not my vehicle, I think "not guilty" might not be the worst move ever.

So Mefi, I know you are not my lawyer, or a lawyer, but surely this has happened to some of you. In particular I am concerned about my record (if I were to get caught with weed, I would not want it to be my second offense, as I feel that is my right as someone who is _not guilty_), and getting community service.

How to cross-cite Westlaw and LEXIS cases?

resurrexit — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:19:46 -0800

Is there a way to cross-reference the unique identifier of an unpublished case available on one electronic database to which you are subscribed (Westlaw, LEXIS, etc.) with its unique cite on one of the other electronic databases to which you are unsubscribed? Let's assume that:
(1) You're a private lawyer or a law clerk at a court with access only to one service, say Westlaw;
(2) the people to whom you need to communicate the case's unique location have access only to one of the other services, say LEXIS;
(3) you know the Westlaw citation (the 2008 WL 1234567 cite) but need to give it to them in its LEXIS equivalent so they can access the case electronically.

How, short of calling law students or professors with their unlimited free accounts, can I find out the LEXIS cite? Or, assuming I'm a LEXIS user and know the LEXIS identifier, how can I get that "2008 WL 1234567" number?

I ask because some courts require you to cite these cases either to one or the other database, and many are only subscribed to one service. (The obvious practical solution for lawyers communicating with courts is to send a copy of the case along with your brief, motion, whatever. But they still have to look it up if they want an electronic copy--and no decent lawyer takes the approach, at least with regard to submitting information to a court, "Ah, they'll look it up.")

Unlock the secrets of citations!

boubelium — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:57:18 -0800

What's all this fuss about bibliography software? I have never used Endnote, Reworks, or any other bibliography organizing software before. However, I know it seems to be popular based on the number of questions here mentioning it and the seemingly perpetual training seminars I have seen at University libraries... but I don't see its attractiveness and I wonder if someone could explain its advantages? I don't want to be on the outs with academic technology or sound like a curmudgeon (I don't yet have a lawn for people to stay off of).

Little background: I am a history grad student and have always managed my bibliographies in a spreadsheet. When I get a new source, say a book, I just flip to the title/copyright page and write out the citation in my excel master bibliography sheet (Chicago Style). This takes about 10 seconds.

So, outside of being able to easily convert from one citation style to another, what neat things can these bibliography builders do? Or is this software just for undergrads who are confused by/or juggling different styles of citations?

Oh, and bonus points for any humanities or historian friends who can share how I can use them.

Citing YouTube

eric1halfb — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:29:42 -0800

Any advice on how to cite a YouTube clip in MLA format? Suggestions for both the parenthetical reference and bibliographic citation would be much appreciated. Email here.

Site that will help me, um, cite.... (ugh, I've got nothin')

numinous — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:02:04 -0800

[Attention-Citation-Officers-Filter]: I am clueless as to the proper way of citing financial documents in the course of my writing. The Chicago Manual of Style has left me high and dry. Hope me! I'm having difficulty finding out how to accurately cite financial documents. Specifically, I need to cite information from a non-profit organization's 990 form. I am citing several figures from this tax document. I've searched various terms, such as citation+financial+report+document+writing etc., with every coupling and configuration in between. No. Dice.

So, my multifaceted question:

Is there a cut-and-dried template of citing data from a tax document in expository writing? For both note and bibliographical references? In a way that is consistent with (or at least acceptable by) the Chicago Manual of Style? Are there any websites dedicated to illustrating this type of citation? If so, which ones?

Also, WHERE CAN I FIND AN EXAMPLE, PLZ.

All suggestions welcome. Seriously. This is driving me nuts.

Nearly ruined an awesome road trip...

lou — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:49:34 -0800

On a road trip across the midwestern United States. Out of state driver, small town speed trap. Can I ignore the ticket? and other questions. I got pulled over passing through Foristell, MO, in what is apparently the worst speed trap in Missouri. Also, I have an out of state license (California), driving a rental car with out of state plates (Texas), which means I'm a big flashing dollar sign for them. I don't take too kindly to being extorted, so I'm wondering if a small town in Missouri will actually report this to California and have my license suspended if I don't pay up, or is that just an empty threat by the cops to make sure I fill their tiny city's coffers. I've heard that they could issue a warrant for your arrest but you could avoid that as long as you never plan on returning. On a similar note, do out of state moving violations count as points on your driving license in your home state and will it raise insurance premiums? I know this would differ between states (and which combinations of states) so any specific experiences with California drivers in Missouri would be appreciated.

What is the easiest way to index pre-existing bibliographies?

anotherpanacea — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 15:08:52 -0800

Bibliographic software newbie question: given an enormous backlog of hand-written bibliographies, what's my best bet for producing a database and integrating it with a book manuscript? I'd like to be able to push a button and change citation styles. No arduous data-entry, please. I've never taken the leap into Endnote et al, but I have some limited experience with Word 2007's reference panel. Now, it seems, I need to change, and fast. I'd like to be able to push a button and change inline citation styles. So:

1. What is the easiest way to index pre-existing bibliographies? Let's say I have fifteen pages of references saved as a Word document. Is there a citation sniffer that'll pull out the entries or some other import function I can use?

2. What software should I use? Is Word's new stuff robust enough? (I'm in the humanities.)

How do I cite, in MLA format, a quote that is already in parentheses?

limon — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:56:57 -0800

How do I cite, in MLA format, a quote that is already in parentheses? My strategy thus far has been to extricate the quote from the parentheses, but sometimes it doesn't make sense to. I've learned to live with my galloping prose style, which parenthetically points at things as they whoosh past. Google turned up nothing, and I don't have with me an MLA handbook.

Do I use nested parentheses? That seems remarkably ugly.

Highschool MLA citation for less?

Uther Bentrazor — Wed, 23 May 2007 08:54:55 -0800

Help me find a citation engine for my school! I work for a highschool, and part of the restructuring we're doing over the next year is cutting costs and changing out some programs. I've been tasked with finding a new citation engine.

We currently use SourceAid Citation Builder, but at $20 a year per licensce, the higherups want something slightly less expensive. So I was more or less told "We want this, but we don't want to pay as much for it." (initially I was tasked to scour for free ones)

Currently, I'm leaning towards iCite, but I'm still keeping an eye out.

Anyone in the field (or anyone else) have any suggestions?

My Funny Proxy, I Don't Find You Funny

Falconetti — Wed, 09 May 2007 13:12:29 -0800

According to the new Bluebook (a manual of legal citation), how do you cite to a proxy statement? I only have the Seventeenth Edition handy, but I know there is a new Rule 14.6(e) that explains this in the Eighteenth Edition. I need to figure this out before sundown, so if anyone has their Bluebook near by, would you mind cluing me in?

Credit Where Credit is Due

kirkaracha — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 15:12:06 -0800

I'm considering a web project that would be a day-by-day chronicle of a historical period. My primary sources would be 2-3 books that are day-by-day accounts of the period. Can I use the facts from the books if I use my own words? I would list the books as references on the site.

Can I keep ignoring this thing?

Anonymous — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:25:11 -0800

Is there a statute of limitations on a red-light camera ticket fine received in California and not paid? I recieved a red-light camera citation via mail from the City of Beverly Hills in February 2000 (Wilshire & La Cienega), back when I was a dirt poor college student (my justification for not properly paying this of course.) I ignored the initial documentation due to my frustration and lack of money and shortly thereafter the fine went up to $400+ dollars, and after that was taken up by a collection agency.

Seven years later, I receive notices from this agency in the same orange and white envelope, however they arrive only about twice per year. I've never received a phone call from them to collect the debt and I've gone into the DMV multiple times to renew my license, and pick up personalized plates and such, and they've never prevented me from doing these things or mentioned I have anything on my record (I've also obtained a copy of my driving record.) The documentation from the court/collection agency has included threats regarding the prevention of license renewal, so I'm not sure if this is obviously false. Also, a delinquent payment/collection file has never appeared on my credit report, on all three agencies (I check semi-annually.)

Although the collection agency still contacts me regarding this debt (if it known as such), does the statute of limitations regarding debt apply in this case? Has anyone else obtained red-light camera violations in the City of Beverly Hills or surrounding areas that have not paid them and not incurred severe consequences?

How to teach MLA/Chicago form

Mngo — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:50:53 -0800

I teach graduate writing and research. I'm pretty confident with the way I teach the spirit of citation (it's what we have in the humanities instead of the scientific method), but what draconian pedagogy can I use to soul-crushingly impose format dread on my unruly grad students? They all have a copy of the MLA handbook, and most of them have a Chicago Manual of Style near to hand. Most of them use robo-reference managers like Refworks, Endnote or Citation, that can theoretically output in any format But some of my senior colleagues still complain that they receive badly formated bibs and notes. Ideally this would also support the conceptual aims of the course, but what can we do in class, and what resources can I direct them to, to improve their pains-taking in producing formal research papers?