How to Cite a Law in APA Style | Format & Examples

Introduction to Citing Laws in APA Style

Having legal documents accurately while quoting is critical in scholarly writing, particularly among law students and lawyers, political science students, and public policy experts. The American Psychological Association (APA) Style, particularly the 7th edition, provides unambiguous guidelines for quoting legal sources to make the work consistent and clear in academia. In this blog, we will learn about the topic, how to cite a law in APA, APA style rules, & apa law citation generator. We will also learn about APA format rules, APA citation rules, & APA law citation generator.

Why Legal Citations Matter in Academic Writing

Legal citations serve several essential purposes in academic writing:

1. Credibility: With the Proper citations lend authority to with our arguments. Just by referencing established laws and legal decisions.
2. Traceability: They are allow readers to locate the original legal sources. Just for verification or further study.ZSR Library Guides
3. Academic Integrity: Accurate citations help avoid plagiarism and uphold ethical standards in research. We will also learn about APA format rules, APA citation rules, & APA law citation generator.

Basic Rules for APA Legal Citations

APA Style references for legal materials differ from other sources. Key elements include:USC Libraries+5Purdue OWL+5U of A Library Guides+5. In this blog, we will learn about the topic, how to cite a law in APA, APA style rules, & apa law citation generator. We will also learn about APA format rules, APA citation rules, & APA law citation generator.

1. Titles: Use of the official name of the law or case.
2. Abbreviations: For the utilization standard, legal abbreviations. For e.g., U.S.C. for United States Code).Scribbr.
3. Section Symbols: Using of the section symbol (§). Which is followed by the section number.Scribbr.
4. Publication Year: It indicates the year the law was published in the source consulted.Scribbr+1Purdue OWL+1.
5. URLs: For including that URL is optional, but can aid in locating the source.Scribbr+1Scribbr+1. In this blog, we will learn about the topic, how to cite a law in APA, APA style rules, & apa law citation generator.

How to Cite a Statute in APA Format

Federal Statutes

When citing federal statutes: Scribbr

1. Format:
2. Name of Act, Title Number U.S.C. § Section Number (Year). URL
3. Example:
4. With the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. (1990).

State Statutes

For state statutes, replace "U.S.C." with the appropriate state code abbreviation:

1. Format:
2. Name of Act, Code Abbreviation § Section Number (Year). URL
3. Example:
4. Community Action Act, Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-5400 (2020).

Using of the APA Citation for Court Cases and Decisions

Using of the U.S. Supreme Court Cases

1. Format:
2. Name v. Name, Volume U.S. Page (Year). URL
3. Example:
4. Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).

With the U.S. Circuit of the Court Cases

1. Format:
2. Name v. Name, Volume F. [or F.2d, F.3d] Page (Court Year). URL
3. Example:
4. Lawrence v. Heller, 311 F.2d 225 (10th Cir. 1962).

U.S. District Court Cases

1. Format:
2. Name v. Name, Volume F. Supp. Page (Court Year). URL
3. Example:
4. Sohappy v. Smith, 302 F. Supp. 899 (D. Or. 1969).

State Court Cases

1. Format:
2. Name v. Name, Volume Reporter Page (Court Year). URL
3. Example:
4. With the Mullins v. Parkview Hosp., Inc., 865 N.E.2d 608 (Ind. 2007). We will also learn about APA format rules, APA citation rules, & APA law citation generator.

Differentiate between the Citing Federal vs. State Laws in APA

While the general format remains consistent, note the following distinctions:

1. Federal Laws: Use "U.S.C." and federal reporter abbreviations.
2. 
   
3. State Laws: Use the specific state's code abbreviation and reporter.
4. 
   

Always ensure the correct abbreviation and citation format for the jurisdiction in question.

APA Citation Examples for Legal Sources

Statute Example

1. Reference:
2. With the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601–2654 (2006).
3. In-text Citation:
4. (Family and Medical Leave Act, 2006)

Court Case Example

1. Reference:
2. With the Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973).
3. In-text Citation:
4. (Roe v. Wade, 1973)

Some of the Common Mistakes When Citing Laws in APA

There are some of the common Blunders When Referencing Laws in APA. Despite explicit APA citation guidelines, most authors commit unnecessary errors. Familiarity with common blunders ensures your legal references are correct and professional.

1. Some of the Misuses of Abbreviations

The use of some of the unofficial or shortened forms of official legal abbreviations. Also, with the(e.g., writing "U.S. Code" instead of "U.S.C.") can mislead readers or make your work appear amateurish. Always check published official legal abbreviation guides like The Bluebook or the APA manual.

2. Omitted Section Symbols (§)

The section sign (§) is crucial in citing legal references. Authors tend to omit it preceding the section number. For instance, "29 U.S.C. 2601" is wrong; it should be written as "29 U.S.C. § 2601."

3. Omitting the Year

The year signifies when the statute was last codified or updated. Not including it leads to confusion, particularly with those laws that frequently change.

4. Citing Incorrect Jurisdiction

Authors frequently do not make the distinction between state and federal laws. Both have different citation requirements, so be certain that you are using the proper code abbreviation (e.g., U.S.C. for federal law vs. N.Y. Consol. Laws for New York).

5. Improper Case Name Formatting

With some of the italicized case names in the reference list. But not in in-text citations, under the APA legal citation. Also, place with a "v." between names (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education). In this, we will learn about the topic, APA citation for laws.

Tips for Formatting Legal References Correctly

Getting your legal references right in APA format isn't just about rules—it's also about presenting information clearly. Here are actionable tips:

1. Follow the APA Manual’s Bluebook-Style Recommendations

APA Style follows The Bluebook for legal citations, so if you’re ever in doubt about a court case, statute, or regulation, refer to Bluebook conventions.

2. Use Hanging Indents for References

Just like with other APA references, all legal citations in your reference list should be formatted with a hanging indent for clarity and consistency.

3. Alphabetize Reference Entries

Arrange your legal references alphabetically by the first significant word in the citation—often the act name or the case name.

4. Italicize Appropriately

In reference entries, italicize the case name but not the rest of the citation. In in-text citations, don't use italics.

5. Double-Check Court and Statute Abbreviations

Using of the correct court abbreviations. (e.g., "9th Cir." for Ninth Circuit) and ensuring that our given citation is the correct jurisdiction. It is especially when referencing state court decisions or regional statutes. In this, we will learn about the topic, APA citation for laws.

Conclusion

Referring to legal sources in APA Style may seem daunting, but understanding APA citation requirements and rules, one can readily navigate them. Whether you are referring to federal codes, state codes, or Supreme Court rulings, consistency and precision are the bywords. Utilize official abbreviations, observe the peculiarity of note format, and provide pertinent details like section numbers and publication dates at all moments. By mastering APA citation for laws, you’ll elevate the credibility and professionalism of your academic or business writing. In this, we will learn about the topic, APA citation for laws.