citation
Citation has two common definitions in a legal context:
- A citation is a reference to a source that supports a statement or is otherwise related to it.
-
A citation is also an
order
from a
court
or the police commanding one's appearance at a certain time and place.
- To avoid having to make the appearance, one may attempt to show cause for lack of compliance with the order, or sometimes enter a plea and accept judgment by mail (as with a minor traffic violation).
[Last reviewed in July of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]
Wex