What is a parallel cite in legal citations?

• A. A single official citation
• B. Citations to the same case found in more than one reporter
• C. A cross-reference within a case
• D. A digest entry for a case

Answer: (B)

Parallel cites are multiple citations to the same judicial decision that appear in more than one reporter. This means you’ll see the same case listed in different source series—for example, the official United States Reports alongside the Supreme Court Reporter or the Lawyers’ Edition. Each citation points to the same opinion, just in a different publication format, which helps researchers find the text in the source they’re using or that a court requires.

This matters in practice because some databases, courts, or lawyers may prefer one reporter over another, and parallel citations ensure you can locate the full opinion across sources. It’s not about a single official citation, an internal cross-reference within a case, or a digest entry.