Cecily Zamora
Citing legal materials in APA 6th edition requires careful attention to detail, as laws and legal documents follow specific formatting guidelines distinct from other sources. When referencing a law, include the jurisdiction (e.g., country, state), the official name of the law, the year it was enacted or amended, and the specific section or title if applicable. For example, in-text citations typically use the short title of the law and the year, while the reference list entry includes the full name of the law, the jurisdiction, and the source where it can be located, such as a code or statute database. Understanding these rules ensures accuracy and consistency in legal citations, which is crucial for academic and professional integrity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Citation Format | Author (if available), Year, Title of Law, Source (if applicable), URL (if online) |
| Author | Name of the legislative body or jurisdiction (e.g., United States Congress) |
| Year | Year the law was enacted or published |
| Title of Law | Full name of the law (e.g., Affordable Care Act) |
| Source | Publication or database where the law is found (e.g., United States Code) |
| Volume and Page Numbers | Include volume and page numbers if citing a print source |
| URL | Provide the direct URL if citing an online source |
| DOI | Not typically used for laws, but include if available |
| In-Text Citation | (Name of Legislative Body, Year) or (Title of Law, Year) |
| Reference List Entry Example | United States Congress. (2010). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Retrieved from [URL] |
| Notes | APA 6th edition does not require specific law citation formats, so adapt general rules as needed |
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What You'll Learn
Basic Structure of Legal Citations
When citing a law using APA 6th edition, understanding the basic structure of legal citations is essential. Legal citations typically follow a specific format that includes key elements such as the name of the case, the volume number, the reporter abbreviation, the page number, and the year. In APA style, the goal is to provide enough information for readers to locate the source, while adhering to the conventions of legal citation. The basic structure begins with the *party names*, which identify the parties involved in the case, followed by details that pinpoint the exact location of the legal decision.
The first component of a legal citation is the *name of the case*, which is italicized in APA style. The names of the parties are separated by a comma and the abbreviation "v." (for "versus"). For example, *Brown v. Board of Education*. This is followed by the *volume number* of the reporter where the case is published, the *abbreviation of the reporter*, and the *page number* where the case begins. For instance, 347 U.S. 483 indicates volume 347 of the United States Reports, starting on page 483. The *year* of the decision is placed in parentheses after the reference, such as (1954). This core structure ensures clarity and precision in legal citations.
In addition to case law, APA 6th edition also requires specific formats for citing statutes, regulations, and other legal materials. For statutes, the citation includes the *title number*, *abbreviation of the code*, *section number*, and *year*. For example, 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2006) refers to Title 42 of the United States Code, Section 1983, as updated in 2006. Regulations follow a similar pattern, including the *title number* of the Code of Federal Regulations, the *abbreviation "C.F.R."*, the *section number*, and the *year*. For instance, 29 C.F.R. § 1606.1 (2010) points to Title 29, Part 1606, Section 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations from 2010.
Another important aspect of legal citations is the use of *parallel citations*, which provide additional locations where the case can be found. These are included after the main citation and are separated by commas. For example, *Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483, 74 S. Ct. 686, 98 L. Ed. 873 (1954)* includes citations to the Supreme Court Reporter and the Lawyer's Edition. While APA 6th edition does not strictly require parallel citations, they are often included in legal writing to enhance accessibility.
Finally, it is crucial to ensure consistency and accuracy in legal citations. APA style emphasizes the importance of following established legal citation conventions, such as those outlined in *The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation*. While APA provides general guidelines, legal citations often require adherence to specific rules that prioritize clarity and precision in legal contexts. By mastering the basic structure of legal citations, writers can effectively reference laws, cases, and regulations in a manner that is both APA-compliant and legally sound.
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Citing Court Cases in APA 6th
When citing court cases in APA 6th edition, it is essential to follow a specific format to ensure clarity and consistency. The citation structure for court cases differs from that of traditional books or articles, as it includes unique elements such as the case name, court level, and decision date. According to APA guidelines, the in-text citation for a court case should include the case name and the year of the decision, with no punctuation between them (e.g., *Brown v. Board of Education*, 1954). This format helps readers easily identify the source within the text.
In the reference list, the full citation for a court case begins with the case name, which is italicized and uses sentence-style capitalization. The plaintiff and defendant names are separated by "v.," and only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. Following the case name, include the court level and jurisdiction in parentheses, such as U.S. Supreme Court or a specific state court. Next, provide the full date of the decision in parentheses, followed by the volume and reporter numbers, if applicable. For example: *Brown v. Board of Education* (U.S. Supreme Court, 1954, 347 U.S. 483).
If the case is not published in an official reporter, include the court’s full name and the case number instead of the volume and reporter. For instance: *Smith v. Johnson* (California Superior Court, 2010, No. CV123456). Additionally, if accessing the case through an online database like LexisNexis or Westlaw, include the database name and URL in the citation. For example: *Doe v. Roe* (U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Cir., 2005, 412 F.3d 1234). Retrieved from LexisNexis database.
When citing a court case within the text, brevity is key. Use the abbreviated case name and year in parentheses, such as (*Brown v. Board of Education*, 1954). If the case name is mentioned in the sentence, include only the year in parentheses. For example: The landmark decision in *Brown v. Board of Education* (1954) transformed American education. Consistency in both in-text citations and the reference list is crucial for adhering to APA 6th edition standards.
Finally, ensure that all elements of the citation are accurate and complete. Double-check the case name, court level, decision date, and any volume or reporter numbers to avoid errors. Properly citing court cases not only gives credit to the original source but also enhances the credibility of your work. By following these guidelines, you can effectively cite court cases in APA 6th edition, maintaining professionalism and adherence to academic standards.
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Referencing Statutes and Codes
When referencing statutes and codes in APA 6th edition, it is essential to provide clear and accurate citations to ensure proper attribution and allow readers to locate the legal sources. Statutes and codes are primary legal authorities, and their citations typically include specific elements to identify the law precisely. The general format for citing a statute or code involves providing the name of the statute or code, the title or chapter number, the section or provision being referenced, and the year of the specific version or edition.
In APA 6th edition, the in-text citation for a statute or code follows the author-date format, but since laws do not have individual authors, the citation consists of the abbreviated name of the statute or code and the year. For example, if referencing the United States Code, the in-text citation would be (U.S.C., 2018). When citing a specific section, include the title or chapter number and the section number, such as (Title 18 U.S.C. § 1512, 2018). It is crucial to use the official abbreviation for the statute or code, as specified in legal citation guides like *The Bluebook*.
For the reference list entry, begin with the full name of the statute or code, followed by the jurisdiction (e.g., country, state) in parentheses. Next, include the title or chapter number, the section or provision, and the year in parentheses. For instance: *United States Code (U.S.C.)*. Title 18, § 1512 (2018). If the statute or code is part of a larger compilation or database, provide the name of the compilation and any relevant publication information. Ensure consistency in abbreviations and formatting throughout the reference list.
When referencing state statutes or codes, follow a similar structure but include the state abbreviation in the citation. For example, an in-text citation for a California statute might appear as (Cal. Penal Code § 484, 2020). In the reference list, the entry would be: *California Penal Code*. § 484 (2020). If the statute has a popular name, it can be included in the citation for clarity, such as *California Penal Code*. Burglary (Cal. Penal Code § 459, 2020). Always verify the accuracy of abbreviations and section numbers using reliable legal resources.
Finally, when citing historical or older versions of statutes and codes, include the specific year or session law to ensure the reader can locate the exact text. For example, if referencing a 1990 version of a statute, the citation would reflect that year. Additionally, if the statute has been amended, note the amendment details if relevant to your discussion. Properly referencing statutes and codes in APA 6th edition not only adheres to academic standards but also enhances the credibility and precision of legal research and writing.
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In-Text Citations for Laws
When citing laws using APA 6th edition, in-text citations are crucial for acknowledging the legal sources within the body of your work. The primary goal is to provide clear and concise references that direct readers to the corresponding entry in the reference list. For laws, in-text citations typically include the name of the law (or a shortened version) and the year it was enacted. If the law is commonly known by an abbreviated name, you may use that abbreviation in the in-text citation, but ensure it is clear and matches the reference list entry. For example, if citing the *Americans with Disabilities Act* of 1990, the in-text citation would appear as (*Americans with Disabilities Act*, 1990) or (ADA, 1990) if the abbreviation is used consistently.
In cases where the law does not have a specific title or is referred to by its jurisdiction and year, the in-text citation should include the jurisdiction and the year. For instance, if referencing a state law, such as *California Education Code* Section 48900 (2020), the in-text citation would be (*California Education Code* § 48900, 2020). If the law is cited multiple times, the shortened form (e.g., *California Education Code* § 48900) can be used after the first full citation. Consistency is key, so ensure that the format used in the in-text citation matches the reference list entry precisely.
When citing a specific section or subsection of a law, include the section symbol (§) followed by the section number. For example, if referencing Section 5 of the *Civil Rights Act* of 1964, the in-text citation would be (*Civil Rights Act* § 5, 1964). If the citation refers to a subsection, include the subsection number after the section number, such as (*Civil Rights Act* § 5(a), 1964). This level of detail helps readers locate the exact part of the law being referenced.
If you are citing a law that has been amended, include the year of the amendment in the in-text citation, particularly if the amendment is relevant to your discussion. For example, (*Family and Medical Leave Act*, 1993, as amended in 2008). This ensures clarity and accuracy in referencing the specific version of the law being discussed. Always verify the accuracy of the law's title, section, and year to maintain credibility in your work.
Finally, when multiple laws are cited in the same parentheses, list them in alphabetical order by the title of the law or jurisdiction. For example: (*California Education Code* § 48900, 2020; *Individuals with Disabilities Education Act*, 2004). If the citations include both laws and other sources, such as books or articles, follow the same alphabetical order based on the author’s last name or title, as applicable. This structured approach ensures that in-text citations for laws are both APA 6th edition compliant and reader-friendly.
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Formatting Legal References List
When formatting a legal references list in APA 6th edition, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Legal references, including laws, statutes, and court cases, require unique citation formats that differ from standard APA references. The goal is to provide clear and accessible information for readers to locate the legal sources cited in your work. Begin by organizing your references alphabetically by the first significant word of the reference, typically the title of the law or the name of the court case. Each entry should be double-spaced, with the second and subsequent lines of a reference indented (known as a hanging indent).
For statutes and codes, the reference list entry should include the title of the statute, the source (if applicable), the year, and the URL or retrieval information if accessed online. For example: *Patriot Act, 50 U.S.C. § 1513 (2001)*. If citing a specific section of a code, include the title, the source (e.g., U.S.C. for United States Code), the section symbol (§), the section number, and the year in parentheses. If the statute is from a state code, include the state abbreviation before the code citation (e.g., *California Penal Code § 4570 (2019)*).
When citing court cases, the format includes the case name (in italics), the volume number, the reporter abbreviation, the page number, and the year. For example: *Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)*. If the case is not published in an official reporter, use a regional or unofficial reporter, and if accessed online, include the database or website and the URL. For instance: *Smith v. Johnson, 2020 WL 1234567 (Cal. Ct. App. 2020)*. Ensure the case name is underlined or italicized, and abbreviate court names according to APA standards (e.g., U.S. for United States).
Constitutional provisions are cited by the document title, the article or amendment number, and the section (if applicable). For example: *U.S. Const. amend. I* for the First Amendment. If referencing a specific clause, include it after the section (e.g., *U.S. Const. art. II, § 2, cl. 2*). For state constitutions, include the state abbreviation before the citation (e.g., *Cal. Const. art. I, § 1*).
Finally, administrative regulations are cited by the agency name, the title of the regulation (in italics), the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) citation, and the year. For example: *Department of Labor, Minimum Wage Regulations, 29 C.F.R. § 778 (2020)*. If the regulation is not codified in the C.F.R., include the Federal Register citation instead. Always verify the accuracy of legal citations, as errors can mislead readers and undermine credibility. Following these APA 6th edition guidelines ensures your legal references list is both professional and compliant with academic standards.
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Frequently asked questions
To cite a federal law in APA 6th edition, use the following format: Name of the Act, Year, Title, Source § Section. For example: Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12112.
When citing a state law in APA 6th edition, the format is: Name of the Act, Year, State Code § Section. For example: California Family Code, 2000, Cal. Fam. Code § 3011.
To cite a legal case in APA 6th edition, use the format: Name v. Name, Year, Volume Number Reporter Abbreviation Page Number (Court). For example: Brown v. Board of Education, 1954, 347 U.S. 483 (Supreme Court).
