"Covering Crime & Justice" ...1 page at a time

Below I will attempt to convey what the website "Covering Crime and Justice" tried to tell of crime journalism, etc. in chapters 1, 5, and 7. I started off slow, but then the Across the Universe soundtrack came on my iTunes, so it picks up.

Chapter 1 covers "The crime beat."
Apparently, writing about crime "has it all: greed, sex, violence, comedy and tragedy."
So... it's a tabloid in 400 words. This is perhaps why crime reports, apparently, seem to have the most initiative a knack for finding sources. It says those who don't pass the crime beat/deadline test are most likely destined to be a feature writer (fun fact: Dave Krahasnfkgjudbhsk appears to think this is an insult. Um... no.)
So far, it seems as though the crime beat is a respectful place to be- much like out book tried to tell us the obit page was.
I was somewhat surprised that some crime beat-ers are also required to write long-form pieces like features and analyses, thereby making them incredibly busy and probably quite bitter.
History- crime has really always been a part of the public's "need to know" and fascination. We have always wanted to know who is doing what wrong and who is getting busted for it. Why do you think Paris Hilton's one stretch in jail was all over CNN? Crime- defined either as civil or criminal, turns into stories because of its interest. In civil, if someone important is being sued or is in trouble, we care. In criminal, if someone notable has violated a law, we care. For example, if Donald Trump commits commits fraud or tax evasion (like he would really need to), we would care.
Background: meet the people you will need to later hit up for info. Call cops, follow them around, maybe even interview the janitor.
Getting arrested- er, um, I mean other people getting arrested. One can only be arrested with probable cause, so basically if the police is fairly sure the person is guilty. Once they're arrested, they must be read their miranda rights. (What they say on Law and Order when the scumbag gets booked). The "perp" is then questioned, booked, and arraigned. Here is where you can mess up: be carefulw hat you say or else you can make the perp appear guilty.
I enjoyed this: "A crime reporter from Cleveland offered a common sense answer a few years ago when he was asked why crime stories were so popular. He replied, "Because people like to read them." "
Ohhhhhhh Ohio.
Of course people enjoy reading them- it's like an action movie in a few hundred words. There's the appeal in these stories. Infamy results from the news media emphasizing one crime issue for a long period of time: OJ, Lacey Peterson, unabomber, etc. Why do you think the stories went waayyy longer than they should have? Because people watched/read them.
Sources are vital - especially since I refuse to breaking into crime scenes and bothering policemen at the station. This is why you would call the captain and create a relationship ahead of time. Get a source you can trust, too, since many will try to lead reporters astray or ignore them.
When it comes to writing, you'll want to add the most important items of the story. Aka, why would the public actually care? Does it even affect them?
HAHAha... haha. "Journalists are sometimes arrested while on the job." Why? Because they do stupid things. Don't do stupid things.

Chapter 5: Don't be a victim.
Interviewing victims for their side of the story is necessary for most crime stories. It also helps to give an overall view of the story, not just a certain aspect. News media can help the public by giving information about the crime so that it may not happen again and people can be aware of their safety. For me, it would also be important to confirm the victim's story, so as not to make out the wrong person as the harmed one.
When speaking to victims, don't be an idiot. Be nice, be gentle, and don't accuse them of anything. Carrying on...
Getting outside information is also helpful, like witnesses or neighbors. They may provide information that the victim and police couldn't give you. Sexual assault victims are the most difficult becuase they most likely do not want to speak with anyone at all, let alone a stranger/reporter. Names of these victims must be secret for their own sake. This makes it harder to interview them, as well. People are beginning to think that this rule is outdated, but that's ridiculous. It's simply not fair to print their names, for their own safety. News isn't worth it.

Chapter 7: Courtship
The goings-on in the courtroom are of interest to the public: exhibit A- COURT TV.
The courts take part in many aspects of our lives, therefore cases in the courts are important and of interest because they affect so much of us.
Court rulings are public events. Reporters can go and report on everything that happens there- reactions of witnesses, etc. While the reporter is in the court, it's important to observe everything, but mostly just sit and waaiit. Boring, but again... Robert Redford can do it, so why not me?
Reporters have to read the documents that go along with the case- they are libel-proof, so you can't get busted for reporting on what they say. Docket sheets are some of these documents- they tell you what has been brought before a judge and who is involved. Court systems also have important sources to contact- clerks, assistants, etc. Lawyers, not so much, because they scare me.
Before the trial itself, a reporter needs background information- facts about the crime, who is involved, hearing results, etc. The trial may be high-profile and high-impact, in which case the people involved are important to know. People- like the judge.