Short Cite versus Pin Cite Forum

[BarbellDreams]

Ok, so my HelLwr prof said I short cite everything when I should be using pin cites for the majority of my citations. I have no idea what the difference is and my TA just said "Just short cite it and add the page number in the middle, that makes it a pin cite." Yeah, I don't know what that means. Anyway, for example my short cite is something like this: Kaatz, 540 P.2d 1037, can anyone tell me what a pin cite looks like?

[HBK]

A short cite should only be used after you've already cited the case:

A pin cite is a citation that includes the page number. A short cite can be a pin cite.

Ex:

Kartz v. XYZ, 540 P.2d 1037, 1051 (Cal. 1976).

That's a pin cite- the page you got the info from is the second number. The first number is the first page the case appears in the reporter.

After that initial cite, you can short cite it.

Kartz, 540 P.2d at 1056.

At least that's what we've been taught.

[Renzo]

yep. the post above got it.

[kalvano]

Pretty much what's above. Always pin cite, though, be it long cite or short cite.

[vamedic03]

A short cite should only be used after you've already cited the case:

A pin cite is a citation that includes the page number. A short cite can be a pin cite.

Ex:

Kartz v. XYZ, 540 P.2d 1037, 1051 (Cal. 1976).

That's a pin cite- the page you got the info from is the second number. The first number is the first page the case appears in the reporter.

After that initial cite, you can short cite it.

Kartz, 540 P.2d at 1056.

At least that's what we've been taught.

This is right. But a couple more points:

(1) pin cite = pinpoint cite - i.e., where the substantiation came from.

(2) Unless you are truly citing to a case or source generally (which is fairly rare for memos and briefs), you should pretty much always be using pincites. Cite to the language of the holding - not to the entire case. I should be able to go directly to your citation and find exactly what's supporting your proposition.

[kalvano]

Also, right click ---> "copy with reference".

Gold.

[BarbellDreams]

This is really helpful, thanks guys. Last question: Where do I find the page number that I need to pincite to? If I find a case on westlaw is it just going to have the page number of the appropriette reporter on the bottom?

[dakatz]

This is really helpful, thanks guys. Last question: Where do I find the page number that I need to pincite to? If I find a case on westlaw is it just going to have the page number of the appropriette reporter on the bottom?

Every case in Westlaw has the page numbers written into the case in bright purple I believe with an asterisk next to it. They will be right in the middle of the sentences, since they denote where the page break would be in the physical book version.

[kalvano]

[BarbellDreams]

Cool, thanks, just what I need. Brief due in 38 hours.