What does a citator show?

• A. A citator shows how subsequent decisions treated a case (positive, negative, or citing references).
• B. A citator provides the full text of statutes.
• C. A citator summarizes constitutional amendments.
• D. A citator is used to locate primary authorities only in criminal law.

Answer: (A)

A citator shows how later authorities treat a case. It tracks subsequent decisions that cite the case and flags what those decisions say—whether they follow it, distinguish it on facts, overrule it, or simply reference it for background. This helps you judge the continuing precedential value of the case and understand its impact in later rulings. It’s a way to see the case’s real-world reception and status, not to retrieve the statute text or summarize amendments. Citators apply broadly across law, not just criminal cases.