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How to Cite a Legal Brief in MLA Format

While most legal scholars prefer to use citation styles other than those of the the Modern Language Association (MLA), some writers who are not legal specialists, especially college undergraduates, are asked to use MLA format to cite their sources, including legal briefs. According to "Nolo's Plan English Law Dictionary," parties arguing a case use legal briefs to make their case to the court before it makes its decision. To cite a legal brief, you will need to cite the case record itself, since the record will contain the brief. MLA citations have two parts: an in-text citation and an entry on the works cited page.

Instructions

- 1
  Complete your in-text citation. Give the name of the case either in the body of your sentence or in parentheses after the sentence. The name of the case includes that of the plaintiff followed by that of the defendant. For example:
  
  "In Bowers v. Hardwick, the court ruled that..."
  
  or
  
  "The court ruled (Bowers v. Hardwick) that..."
- 2
  Complete your works cited page entry. Provide the name of the case (in quotes), the number of the case, the court that decided the case and the case's date of decision, all separated by periods; for example:
  
  "Briefing." Bowers v. Hardwick. No. 85-140. Supreme Court of the U.S. 30 June 1986.
- 3
  Specify whether you viewed the brief in print or online. Put "Print" to indicate a print source and "Web" to indicate an internet source.
  
  "Briefing." Bowers v. Hardwick. No. 85-140. Supreme Court of the US. 30 June 1986. Print.
  
  or
  
  "Briefing." Bowers v. Hardwick. No. 85-140. Supreme Court of the US. 30 June 1986. Web.

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