Citing Court Cases in MLA and APA Formats

When writing an essay that includes court cases, it is important to cite them properly according to MLA or APA formats. Both formats have specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency in scholarly writing. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand the differences and nuances in citing court cases using these two citation styles.

MLA Format for Citing Court Cases

In MLA format, the reference list entry for a court case typically follows this structure:

Court name: Full name of the court, including any relevant department or division. Examples include the United States Supreme Court or the Supreme Court of Canada. Case title: Include the name of the case in italics, such as Brown v. Board of Education. Volume number: Precede by the abbreviation "Volume" (Vol. ). Reporter information: Include the reporter name and abbreviation if relevant. Example: U.S. Reports is abbreviated as U.S.. Page number: Include the specific page where the decision is found. Example: 483. Date of decision: Year of the court's decision. Example: 1954. Publisher: If relevant, include the publisher and location. Example: West Publishing Company, St. Paul, MN. URL (optional): Include if accessed online.

Example of an MLA Reference List Entry for a Court Case

Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483, United States Supreme Court (1954)

In-Text Citation in MLA Format

When using a case in the main text, you can refer to it by name, or use a parenthetical citation. Examples are:

Paraphrasing: The crucial decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case... Direct reference: The court held that Brown v. Board of Education 1954 U.S. Rep.

APA Format for Citing Court Cases

In APA format, the reference list entry for a court case follows a slightly different structure:

Case name: Include the name of the case in italics, such as Brown v. Board of Education. Reporter information: Followed by the volume number and page number (no comma between reporter information and volume number). Example: 347 U.S. 483. Court name: Include the full name of the court, including any relevant department or division. Example: United States Supreme Court. Year of decision: Include the year of the court's decision. Example: (1954). URL (optional): Include if accessed online.

Example of an APA Reference List Entry for a Court Case

Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483, United States Supreme Court (1954)

In-Text Citation in APA Format

When using a case in the main text, you can refer to it by name, or use a parenthetical citation. Examples are:

Paraphrasing: The crucial decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case. Direct reference: The court held that Brown v. Board of Education 1954.

Additional Tips and Guidelines

Here are some additional tips to ensure accurate and consistent citation of court cases:

Consult official style guides: Always consult the official MLA and APA style guides for the latest formatting requirements. Include more information if unsure: If you have any doubts, err on the side of including more information in your citation. Check database-specific guidelines: Some legal databases have specific citation formats. Always double-check their guidelines.

Properly citing court cases in your essays not only enhances the credibility of your work but also allows readers to easily find and verify the information you present. Whether you are using MLA or APA format, the key is to be consistent and follow the correct guidelines to achieve optimal accuracy and consistency.