In legal contexts, a citation typically refers to a formal reference or acknowledgment of a specific legal authority, such as a statute, case law, regulation, or scholarly publication. Citations are used to provide evidence, support arguments, or direct readers to the source of legal information relied upon in legal documents, court opinions, briefs, academic papers, and other legal writings. A citation typically includes the name of the legal authority, relevant details such as volume and page numbers, and information about the jurisdiction or publication where it can be found. Proper citation formats and conventions vary depending on the legal jurisdiction and the type of legal authority being cited, with standardised citation styles such as the Bluebook in the United States or the McGill Guide in Canada providing guidelines for uniformity and accuracy in legal writing. Citations play a critical role in legal research and scholarship by allowing readers to locate and verify the legal sources referenced in legal documents and facilitating the development of legal arguments based on precedent and authoritative legal sources.
- An official summons or notice given to a person to appear; the paper containing such summons or notice.
- The act of citing a passage from a book or from another person in his/her own words.
- An entry in a list of source(s) from which one took information, words or literary or verbal context.
n.
- a notice to appear in court due to the probable commission of a minor crime such as a traffic violation, drinking liquor in a park where prohibited, letting a dog loose without a leash, and in some states, possession of a small amount of marijuana. Failure to appear can result in a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.
- a notice to appear in court in a civil matter in which the presence of a party appears necessary, usually required by statute, such as a person whose relatives wish to place him/her under a conservatorship (take over and manage his/her affairs).
- the act of referring to (citing) a statute, precedent-setting case or legal textbook in a brief (written legal court statement) or argument in court is called “citation of authority.”
- the section of the statute or the name of the case, as well as the volume number, the report series and the page number of a case, referred to in a brief, points and authorities, or other legal argument. Example: United States vs. Wong Kim Ark, (1898) 169 U.S. 649, which is the name of the case, the year when decided, with the decision found at volume 169 of the United States [Supreme Court] Reporter at page 649. A citation also refers to the case itself, as in “counsel’s citation of the Wong case is not in point.
Citations can be criminal or civil, although a criminal citation has much more serious ramifications. A criminal citation is used in some jurisdictions to charge someone with a crime without the police making a physical arrest. The citation will generally state the date and time the defendant must appear in court. It will also list the defendant’s violations and explain their rights to appeal. The citation will explain the penalties assessed by the court, including court fines. At the hearing, the court will decide if there is probable cause to issue the criminal complaint.
Most criminal citations will require the defendant to sign the ticket and send it to the Clerk-Magistrate. On the back of the citation, it will indicate where it needs to be signed and dated. The citation should be sent to the court directly and not to the P.O. Box address. Criminal citations cannot be paid online, by telephone or through the mail (although some civil citations may be paid this way without a court appearance). Consider talking to a lawyer if you have questions about what to do after receiving a criminal citation. In some cases, having a lawyer present at your hearing can improve your chances of having the case thrown out of court and avoiding a criminal complaint.
A citation is a formal written notice issued by a law enforcement officer to an individual who has allegedly violated a law or regulation. It typically includes information such as the offence committed, the date and time of the violation, and the location where it occurred.
There are various types of citations, including traffic citations for violations such as speeding or running a red light, parking citations for illegal parking, and citations for other non-traffic offences like littering or noise violations.
In most cases, receiving a citation will require you to pay a fine. The amount of the fine will depend on the nature of the offence and the jurisdiction in which it occurred. Failure to pay the fine may result in additional penalties, such as a suspended driver’s licence or a warrant for your arrest.
Yes, you have the right to contest a citation if you believe you are not guilty of the offence or if you have valid legal defences. To contest a citation, you will typically need to appear in court on the designated date and present your case before a judge.
To contest a citation, you will need to follow the instructions provided on the citation itself. This may involve contacting the appropriate court or administrative agency, filling out a form, and providing any supporting evidence or witness statements that can help prove your innocence.
In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate a reduced fine or penalty for a citation. This usually requires presenting a compelling argument or demonstrating mitigating circumstances that warrant a lesser punishment. However, the decision to reduce the fine ultimately rests with the judge or the issuing authority.
In certain circumstances, it may be possible to have a citation expunged from your record. This typically requires meeting specific eligibility criteria, such as completing a defensive driving course or maintaining a clean driving record for a certain period of time. Expungement procedures vary by jurisdiction, so it is advisable to consult with an attorney for guidance.
In general, you cannot receive multiple citations for the same offence if they arise from a single incident. However, if the offence is committed on separate occasions or involves multiple violations, you may receive multiple citations.
Ignoring a citation is not advisable, even if you believe it was issued in error. Failing to respond to a citation can result in additional penalties, such as a suspended licence or a warrant for your arrest. It is best to contest the citation or seek legal advice to address any concerns or errors.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 30th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
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- American Psychological Association (APA):Citation. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 18 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/citation/
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