NFPA Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE)Legal ResearchMedium
A paralegal is drafting a legal memorandum and needs to cite a specific page within a court opinion published in a regional reporter. According to The Bluebook, which component of the citation indicates the precise page number where the relevant information can be found?
- AThe court and year of decision.
- BThe pinpoint citation (or 'pincite').
- CThe reporter abbreviation.
- DThe volume number.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The pinpoint citation (or 'pincite').
The pinpoint citation, or 'pincite,' refers to the specific page number within a legal source where the cited material is located. It is crucial for directing readers to the exact part of the text.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The court and year of decision identify the issuing court and when the decision was made, not the specific page number.
- C. The reporter abbreviation indicates the series of books (e.g., F.3d for Federal Reporter, Third Series) but not the specific page.
- D. The volume number identifies the specific book in the reporter series but not the exact page within it.
Pinpoint Citation (Pincite)
The exact page number within a legal source where the cited information can be found, following the initial page number of the source.
- Crucial for precise referencing in legal writing.
- Distinguished from the starting page of the entire source.
- Often formatted as 'page, pincite' (e.g., 543 F.2d at 123, 125).
Memory trick: VC-PDC: Volume, Reporter, Pincite, Court, Date, for cases.