Legal citations within academic papers adhering to Modern Language Association (MLA) style require a specific format to ensure clarity and credibility. A typical citation includes the case name, the volume number and abbreviated reporter title, the page number, the court and year of the decision. For example, Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966) represents a Supreme Court decision documented in volume 384 of the United States Reports, starting on page 436, decided in 1966.
Accurate and consistent legal citation is paramount for academic integrity. It enables readers to verify the sources of legal arguments, trace the development of legal precedent, and understand the context of legal rulings. Historically, legal citation practices evolved alongside legal scholarship, reflecting a growing emphasis on precise documentation and source attribution to reinforce the reliability of legal research and writing.