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Simple English definitions for legal terms
citation sentence
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A quick definition of citation sentence:
A citation sentence is a sentence that only contains citations. It is used to show where information in the preceding sentence comes from. Citation sentences always start with a capital letter and end with a period. If there are multiple sources, they are separated by semicolons. Sometimes, a signal word is used at the beginning of the sentence to indicate that a citation is coming. An example of a citation sentence is: "United States v. Dodd, 538 F.2d 980, 984 (7th Cir. 1996); Parker v. Marpoe, 789 So. 2d 86, 91 (Al. 2000); Smith v. Fulton, 390 A.2d 72, 78 (Pa. 1999)."
A more thorough explanation:
A citation sentence is a sentence that contains one or more citations. It is used to cite sources and legal authorities that refer to the entire preceding sentence. Citation sentences always begin with a capital letter and end with a period. Semicolons divide multiple sources in a citation sentence. The sentence may or may not begin with a signal.
Here is an example of a citation sentence:
"The court held that the defendant's actions constituted negligence per se. United States v. Dodd, 538 F.2d 980, 984 (7th Cir. 1996); Parker v. Marpoe, 789 So. 2d 86, 91 (Al. 2000); Smith v. Fulton, 390 A.2d 72, 78 (Pa. 1999)."
In this example, the sentence is made up entirely of citations to legal authorities that support the preceding sentence. The sources are separated by semicolons, and the sentence begins with a signal phrase ("The court held").
Overall, a citation sentence is a useful tool for legal writers to provide support for their arguments and ideas. By citing relevant sources, writers can demonstrate their knowledge of the law and strengthen their arguments.