Statutes, regulations, rules and constitutions
How to cite a state statute
Cite a state statute to the state’s code in the structure the state uses: some codes run by title, some by chapter or subject, and Louisiana’s civil code by article.
In a state’s own courts, follow the form its judges write; elsewhere, use the code’s abbreviation and the section number.
The book’s Table A gives every state’s code form.
12 real examples
Each citation is printed as the book prints it, from an authority the book checked against its source.
Va. Code Ann. § 36-49.1:1(C).
- Code
- Va. Code Ann.
- Section
- § 36-49.1:1
- Subsection
- (C)
The authority
- Va. Code § 36-49.1:1 (Spot blight abatement authorized; procedure) (Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia, LIS))Source (law.lis.virginia.gov)
Where the book teaches this
Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 22.2151(a).
- Code
- Tex. Gov’t Code Ann.
- Section
- § 22.2151
- Subsection
- (a)
The authority
- Tex. Gov’t Code § 22.2151 (Fifteenth Court of Appeals) (Texas Legislature (TCSS), Sept. 1, 2023)Source (tcss.legis.texas.gov)
Del. Code Ann. tit. 8, § 102(b)(7) (2026).
- Code
- Del. Code Ann. tit. 8
- Section
- § 102
- Subsection
- (b)(7)
- Edition year
- (2026)
The authority
- Del. Code tit. 8, § 102 (Contents of certificate of incorporation) (Delaware General Assembly / Delaware Code Revisors (official online Code), Aug. 1, 2022)Source (delcode.delaware.gov)
§ 18-18-405(1)(a), C.R.S. 2026.
- Section
- § 18-18-405
- Subsection
- (1)(a)
The authority
- C.R.S. § 18-18-405 (Unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, or sale) (Colorado General Assembly (C.R.S.), Jan. 1, 2026)Source (leg.colorado.gov)
Where the book teaches this
D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8).
- Code
- D.C. Code
- Section
- § 12-301
- Subsection
- (a)(8)
The authority
- D.C. Code § 12-301 (Limitation of time for bringing actions) (Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, Council online edition), Sept. 26, 2026)Source (code.dccouncil.gov)
Where the book teaches this
Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 (2026).
- Code
- Ind. Code
- Section
- § 34-11-2-4
- Edition year
- (2026)
The authority
- Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 (Injury or forfeiture of penalty actions) (Indiana General Assembly (Indiana Code), Jan. 1, 2026)Source (iga.in.gov)
Where the book teaches this
G. L. c. 93A, § 2 (a).
- Code
- G. L. c. 93A
- Section
- § 2
The authority
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93A, § 2 (Unfair practices; legislative intent; rules and regulations) (Massachusetts General Court)Source (malegislature.gov)
Where the book teaches this
735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(9) (West 2022).
The authority
- 735 ILCS 5/2-619 (Involuntary dismissal based upon certain defects or defenses) (Illinois General Assembly (ILCS))Source (ilga.gov)
Where the book teaches this
La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 2315(A).
The authority
- La. Civ. Code art. 2315 (Liability for acts causing damages) (Louisiana Legislature)Source (legis.la.gov)
Where the book teaches this
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2).
- Title and code
- 42 Pa.C.S.
- Section
- § 5524
- Subsection
- (2)
The authority
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 (Two year limitation) (Pennsylvania General Assembly (Consolidated Statutes))Source (palegis.us)
Where the book teaches this
Fla. Stat. § 768.72(1) (2026).
- Code
- Fla. Stat.
- Section
- § 768.72
- Subsection
- (1)
- Edition year
- (2026)
The authority
- Fla. Stat. § 768.72 (Pleading in civil actions; claim for punitive damages) (Florida Legislature (Florida Statutes), Jan. 1, 2026)Source (leg.state.fl.us)
Where the book teaches this
Or. Rev. Stat. § 30.020 (2025).
- Code
- Or. Rev. Stat.
- Section
- § 30.020
- Edition year
- (2025)
The authority
- Or. Rev. Stat. § 30.020 (Action for wrongful death) (Oregon Legislative Assembly (Legislative Counsel Committee), Jan. 1, 2025)Source (oregonlegislature.gov)
Where the book teaches this
Where the book teaches this
The full rule, its exceptions and the reasons for it are in these sections.
- 4.5 Sections, subsections, articles and clauses
- 6.5 Law-review footnotes: roman, italics and small capitals
- 8.2 Who reads it decides where the citation goes
- 8.9 Record what you checked: the source log
- 8.11 Errors to catch
- 13.1 One section: title, code, number
- 13.2 Citation forms, source by source
- 13.6 Year, edition and currency