Citing laws in MLA (Modern Language Association) format is a crucial skill for individuals in academic and professional settings, particularly in humanities disciplines such as literature, language studies, and the arts. Proper citation of legal sources in MLA style ensures accuracy, consistency, and credibility in scholarly work. The MLA citation format for laws varies depending on whether the law is federal, state, or local.
Accurate citation requires attention to specific details such as the name of the law, its section or article numbers, the year of enactment or amendment, and the source of publication. Understanding these elements and their proper arrangement in MLA format is essential for creating correct citations. Researchers must also be aware of common pitfalls in legal citations to maintain the integrity of their work.
This guide aims to provide comprehensive information on citing laws in MLA format, covering federal, state, and local legislation, while offering practical advice to avoid frequent errors.
Key Takeaways
- Citing laws in MLA format is important for academic and legal writing to provide proper attribution and support for arguments.
- The format for citing laws in MLA includes the title of the law, the code or statute number, the name of the publisher, and the year of publication.
- When citing federal laws in MLA, include the title of the law, the code or statute number, the name of the publisher, and the year of publication.
- When citing state laws in MLA, include the title of the law, the code or statute number, the name of the publisher, and the year of publication, as well as the name of the state.
- When citing local laws in MLA, include the title of the law, the code or statute number, the name of the publisher, and the year of publication, as well as the name of the local jurisdiction.
Understanding the Format for Citing Laws in MLA
General Format for Citing Laws
The general format for citing laws in MLA is as follows: Title of the Law, Title of the Code, Section Number, Year. The title of the law is formatted differently depending on the level of government. For federal laws, the title is italicized, while for state and local laws, it is placed within quotation marks.
Formatting the Code and Section Number
The title of the code is also formatted differently depending on the level of government. For federal laws, the title of the code is italicized, while for state and local laws, it is placed within quotation marks. The section number should be included in the citation, along with the year of publication. It is essential to pay attention to punctuation and formatting to ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent.
Including Jurisdiction and Essential Elements
When citing laws in MLA format, it is crucial to include all the necessary elements in the citation to provide the reader with enough information to locate the law. In addition to the title of the law, title of the code, section number, and year, it may also be necessary to include the jurisdiction for state and local laws. The jurisdiction should be included in parentheses after the title of the code. For federal laws, the jurisdiction is implied and does not need to be included in the citation.
How to Cite Federal Laws in MLA
Citing federal laws in MLA format requires attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines. When citing federal laws, it is important to include the title of the law, the title of the code where it is found, the section number, and the year of publication. The title of the law should be italicized, while the title of the code should also be italicized.
The section number and year should be included in the citation as well. For example, a citation for a federal law in MLA format would look like this: Title of the Law, Title of the Code, Section Number, Year. It is important to note that federal laws are often organized by subject matter into codes, such as the United States Code (U.S.C.).
When citing federal laws in MLA format, it is necessary to include the title of the specific code where the law is found. This provides the reader with enough information to locate the law within the appropriate code. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to punctuation and formatting when citing federal laws in MLA format to ensure accuracy and consistency in your citations.
When citing federal laws in MLA format, it may also be necessary to include additional information such as the jurisdiction or any relevant amendments or revisions to the law. This additional information can help provide context and clarity for the reader. Understanding how to cite federal laws in MLA format is essential for researchers and professionals who need to accurately reference federal laws in their work.
How to Cite State Laws in MLA
| State | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| New York | NY Rev Stat § 5-401 | NY Rev Stat § 5-401 |
| California | Cal. Penal Code § 187 | Cal. Penal Code § 187 |
| Texas | Tex. Penal Code § 22.01 | Tex. Penal Code § 22.01 |
Citing state laws in MLA format follows a similar structure to citing federal laws but with some key differences. When citing state laws, it is important to include the title of the law, the title of the code where it is found, the section number, the year of publication, and the jurisdiction. The title of the law should be placed within quotation marks, while the title of the code should be italicized.
The section number and year should be included in the citation as well. For example, a citation for a state law in MLA format would look like this: “Title of the Law,” Title of the Code (Jurisdiction), Section Number, Year. In addition to including the title of the law, title of the code, section number, year, and jurisdiction, it may also be necessary to include any relevant amendments or revisions to the law when citing state laws in MLA format.
This additional information can help provide context and clarity for the reader. When citing state laws in MLA format, it is important to pay attention to punctuation and formatting to ensure accuracy and consistency in your citations. Citing state laws in MLA format requires a clear understanding of how state laws are organized and published.
State laws are often organized by subject matter into codes, such as the California Codes or New York Consolidated Laws. When citing state laws in MLA format, it is necessary to include the title of the specific code where the law is found to help the reader locate the law within the appropriate code. Understanding how to cite state laws in MLA format is essential for researchers and professionals who need to accurately reference state laws in their work.
Citing Local Laws in MLA
Citing local laws in MLA format follows a similar structure to citing federal and state laws but with some additional considerations. When citing local laws, it is important to include the title of the law, the title of the code where it is found, the section number, the year of publication, and the jurisdiction. The title of the law should be placed within quotation marks, while the title of the code should also be placed within quotation marks and italicized.
The section number and year should be included in the citation as well. For example, a citation for a local law in MLA format would look like this: “Title of the Law,” “Title of the Code” (Jurisdiction), Section Number, Year. In addition to including all necessary elements in the citation for local laws in MLA format, it may also be necessary to include any relevant amendments or revisions to the law.
This additional information can help provide context and clarity for the reader. When citing local laws in MLA format, it is important to pay attention to punctuation and formatting to ensure accuracy and consistency in your citations. Citing local laws in MLA format requires a clear understanding of how local laws are organized and published.
Local laws are often organized by subject matter into codes or ordinances specific to a city or county. When citing local laws in MLA format, it is necessary to include the title of the specific code or ordinance where the law is found to help the reader locate the law within the appropriate code. Understanding how to cite local laws in MLA format is essential for researchers and professionals who need to accurately reference local laws in their work.
Tips for Citing Laws in MLA
Review and Follow Guidelines
When citing laws in MLA format, it is essential to carefully review and follow the specific guidelines for citing federal, state, and local laws. Paying attention to punctuation and formatting can help avoid common mistakes and ensure that your citations are accurate.
Including Necessary Elements
When citing laws in MLA format, it is crucial to include all necessary elements in the citation, such as the title of the law, title of the code or statute where it is found, section number, year of publication, and jurisdiction if applicable. Including all these elements provides enough information for readers to locate the law. Additionally, it may be necessary to include any relevant amendments or revisions to the law to provide context and clarity for readers.
Double-Checking for Accuracy
Finally, double-checking your citations for accuracy and consistency can help ensure that your citations are reliable and meet MLA guidelines. This step is crucial in maintaining the credibility of your work and avoiding any potential errors.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing Laws in MLA
When citing laws in MLA format, there are several common mistakes that should be avoided to ensure accurate and reliable citations. One common mistake is failing to include all necessary elements in the citation, such as the title of the law, title of the code or statute where it is found, section number, year of publication, and jurisdiction if applicable. Including all these elements provides enough information for readers to locate the law.
Another common mistake when citing laws in MLA format is incorrect punctuation or formatting. It is important to pay attention to punctuation and formatting guidelines to ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. Additionally, failing to include any relevant amendments or revisions to the law when citing laws in MLA format can result in incomplete citations that lack context and clarity for readers.
Finally, a common mistake when citing laws in MLA format is not double-checking citations for accuracy and consistency. Double-checking your citations can help ensure that they meet MLA guidelines and are reliable for your readers. In conclusion, citing laws in MLA format requires attention to detail and a clear understanding of how federal, state, and local laws are organized and published.
By following specific guidelines for each type of law and paying attention to punctuation and formatting, you can create accurate and reliable citations that meet MLA guidelines. Additionally, including all necessary elements in your citations and double-checking for accuracy can help ensure that your citations are clear and informative for your readers. Avoiding common mistakes such as omitting necessary elements or failing to include relevant amendments or revisions can help you create citations that are accurate and consistent.
With this comprehensive guide to citing laws in MLA format, you can confidently reference federal, state, and local laws in your research and writing with precision and clarity.
If you are looking for more information on how to cite a law in MLA format, you may find this article on criminal law from Intensity Law helpful. The article discusses the proper way to cite criminal laws in academic writing and provides examples for reference. You can read the full article here.
FAQs
What is MLA format?
MLA format is a style guide for writing and citing sources in academic papers. It is commonly used in the humanities, including literature, language, and the arts.
How do I cite a law in MLA format?
When citing a law in MLA format, include the title of the law, the publication date, the source (if applicable), and the URL if the law is available online.
What is the basic format for citing a law in MLA?
The basic format for citing a law in MLA includes the title of the law, the publication date, the source (if applicable), and the URL if the law is available online. For example: Title of Law. Publication Date. Source. URL.
Do I need to include the section or paragraph number when citing a law in MLA?
It is not necessary to include the section or paragraph number when citing a law in MLA format. Simply include the title of the law, the publication date, the source (if applicable), and the URL if the law is available online.
Where can I find the publication date and source of a law?
The publication date and source of a law can typically be found on the official government website or in the official publication where the law was enacted. If the law is available online, the publication date and source may be listed on the website where the law is published.
Is it necessary to include the URL when citing a law in MLA format?
If the law is available online, it is recommended to include the URL when citing a law in MLA format. This allows readers to easily access the full text of the law. If the law is not available online, the URL is not necessary.
