How to Cite a Deposition Transcript

When you are preparing an argument or trial brief, you must cite all facts stated, including those from sources such as the transcripts of depositions given in a trial. The Bluebook style manual offers clear guidelines for the citation of trial transcripts. According to Bluebook, all assertions based on deposition transcripts must be cited parenthetically within the text.

Step 1

List the last name of the person testifying. For example: Smith. List the abbreviation for the type of source material. When citing a deposition, write this abbreviation after the name: Dep. List the page number on which the information appears, followed by a period.

For example: 19.

Step 2

Enclose the entire citation in parentheses.

For example, write (Smith Dep. 19.)

Step 3

Place your citation directly after the sentence it supports.

For example, write "Mr. Smith clearly states that the attack took place between 9:15 and 9:30 that same night (Smith Dep. 19.)."