citation

citation

noun | \ sī-ˈtā-shən \ | ci·ta·tion

  1. a : a process served upon an interested party in a probate proceeding

    b : a notice to a person that he or she is charged with a petty offense (as a traffic violation); also : the document embodying the notice : the document embodying the notice

    Note: Citations are issued in minor criminal cases as an alternative to arrest. Often a person may consent in writing to the penalty specified on the citation and forgo an appearance in court.

  1. : the citing of a previously decided case or recognized legal authority as support for an argument; also : the caption used for referring to such a case or authority especially as published in a reporter : the caption used for referring to such a case or authority especially as published in a reporter