How to Cite a Court Case APA: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Navigating the world of legal citations can be daunting, especially when it comes to citing court cases. Whether you’re a legal professional, a student, or simply looking to understand a legal document, knowing how to cite a court case accurately is crucial. This comprehensive guide will demystify the process, walking you through the APA (American Psychological Association) style for citing court cases with ease.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Cite a Court Case in APA

1. Identify the Case Information

Start by gathering the following details:

• Case Name (include all parties involved)
• Court Name
• Date of Decision
• Court Reporter Citation (if available)

2. Case Name

Format the case name as follows:

• Title Case: Capitalize all significant words within the case name, except for conjunctions (e.g., and, or) and prepositions (e.g., of, in).
• Include "v." between the opposing parties.
• Add the year of the decision in parentheses at the end.

Example: Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

3. Court Name

Identify the court that issued the decision and format it as follows:

• Abbreviate the court name using the appropriate abbreviation (e.g., U.S. Sup. Ct. for the Supreme Court of the United States).
• Place the abbreviation in parentheses after the case name.

Example: Brown v. Board of Education (U.S. Sup. Ct. 1954)

4. Date of Decision

Indicate the date the court reached the decision. Format it as follows:

• Use the year only in parentheses.

Example: Brown v. Board of Education (U.S. Sup. Ct. 1954)

5. Court Reporter Citation (Optional)

If available, include the reporter citation, which provides the volume and page number where the case can be found in an official legal publication. Format it as follows:

• Volume number (abbreviated as "vol.")
• Page number (abbreviated as "p.")

Example: Brown v. Board of Education (U.S. Sup. Ct. 1954), 347 U.S. 483

Types of Court Cases and Their Citations

1. Published Court Cases

Use the format outlined above for published court cases, which can be found in official legal reporters.

2. Unpublished Court Cases

Unpublished cases are not printed in official reporters. Follow the general format but include "Unpublished Opinion" before the court abbreviation and remove the reporter citation.

Example: Doe v. Roe (U.S. Dist. Ct., E.D. Cal., March 8, 2023) (Unpublished Opinion)

Citing Court Cases in Text

1. Parenthetical Citation

APA style encourages parenthetical citations within the text. Format it as follows:

• Include the case name (in italicized title case) and the year of decision in parentheses.

Example: (Brown v. Board of Education, 1954)

2. Narrative Citation

In a narrative citation, integrate the case name into your sentence, followed by the year of decision in parentheses.

Example: As established in Brown v. Board of Education (1954),...

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

• Capitalization Errors: Ensure proper capitalization of the case name and court abbreviation.
• Formatting Inconsistencies: Maintain consistency in formatting throughout the citation.
• Omission of Crucial Information: Include all essential details, such as the date and court name.
• Incomplete Citations: Provide the complete reporter citation if available.

Comparison Table: How to Cite a Court Case APA vs. Competitors

Conclusion

Mastering how to cite a court case in APA style is a valuable skill for legal professionals, students, and anyone navigating legal documents. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure accurate and consistent citations that enhance the credibility and professionalism of your work. Don’t hesitate to explore our other articles for further guidance on legal citation styles.

FAQ about How to Cite a Court Case in APA

How do I cite a case title in the body of my paper?

• P: Use italicized title
• A: Use abbreviated volume number
• S: Include the page number or pinpoint citation (e.g., Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973))

How do I list a case in my reference list?

• P: Include the case title (italicized)
• A: Provide the volume and reporter abbreviation
• S: Include the year the decision was issued and pinpoint citation (if used)
• Example: Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973).

How do I cite a case when I only know the case name?

• Use the abbreviated form of the case name in italics (e.g., Roe).
• If you cannot find the full citation, include the court and date of decision (e.g., Roe (U.S. Supreme Court, 1973)).

How do I cite a court decision that has been overturned?

• Include the subsequent decision that overturned it and the date (e.g., Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973); overturned by Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992)).

How do I cite a case that is not available in print?

• Include the citation and add "Retrieved from" and the URL (e.g., Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973). Retrieved from https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/1973/71-18.htm).

How do I cite a case that has multiple parties?

• List the first party followed by "et al." (e.g., Roe et al. v. Wade)
• If the case has multiple plaintiffs, use "Plaintiffs" instead of the first plaintiff’s name (e.g., Plaintiffs v. Wade)

How do I cite a case from a specific court?

• Include the abbreviation for the court after the case title (e.g., Roe v. Wade (U.S. Supreme Court)).

How do I cite a case with a long title?

• Abbreviate the title using ellipses (…)
• Example: *Roe v. Wade (1973) (overturning the state’s restrictive abortion law …)

How do I cite a case that has been cited in another source?

• Include the original citation, followed by the source where you found it (e.g., Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), as cited in Brown (2023)).

How do I handle multiple citations to the same case?

• Use the abbreviated case name after the first full citation (e.g., Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973); Roe (1973))