How do you cite legal documents like laws or court opinions in MLA Style?

Answer

There are many types of legal works that can be cited in MLA style. The examples below represent the most commonly cited. See pages 344-346 of the MLA Handbook, 9th ed. for more information.

Public Laws

United States, Congress. Public Law 111-148. United States Statutes at Large, vol. 124, 2010, pp. 119-1024. GovInfo, www.govinfo.gov/app/details/STATUTE-124/STATUTE-124-Pg119/summary. Accessed 12 May 2022.

Executive Orders

United States, Executive Office of the President [Barack Obama]. Executive Order 13513: Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving. 1 Oct. 2009. Federal Register, vol. 74, no. 192, 6 Oct. 2009, pp.51225-51227, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/10/06/E9-24203/federal-leadership-on-reducing-text-messaging-while-driving. Accessed 12 May 2022.

United States Supreme Court

Decisions
United States, Supreme Court. Obergefell v. Hodges. 26 June 2015. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/14-556. Accessed 12 May 2022.
Dissenting Opinions
Alito, Samuel. Dissenting opinion. Obergefell v. Hodges. 26 June 2015. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/14-556#writing-14-556_DISSENT_7. Accessed 12 May 2022.

Find Out More

Please contact one of our Librarians in person or through our Ask a Librarian if you have questions or need to cite a legal document not listed in this FAQ.

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  • Last Updated Apr 03, 2024
  • Views 129
  • Answered By Nora Rackley

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