Cryme Tyme

Covering Crime & Justice- The title of the extensive journalism piece at justicejournalism.org. I read chapters 1, 5, and 7 which was a lot of information to take in, but I finished with a great deal of insight.

CHAPTER 1. The chapter gets right to the point, talking about how crime reports are such great stroytelling devices and how the reader is easily captivated and in awe of what transpires. As they put it, it "has it alll: greed, sex, violence, comedy and tragedy." Because of the oppotuninties and notoriety that a successful crime report can garner, the competition to find a good story is fierce, especially in their example of New York City. In fact, sensational stories like this one date all the way back to Jazz & Yellow journalism, although in the past they just made stuff up as opposed to competing for real news.
The criminal case section of the chapter defines many crime-related scenerios, such as larceny, theft, fraud, tax evasion, auto theft, robbery, burglary, and home invasion. The differences between these words are important to know, since the penalties for each could be very different, and it is important to report the right stuff. Also, you don't want to get into libel trouble. Along those same lines, the article adressed how to properly report on these stories, listing everying from being punctual to spelling names right to staying in contact with people. Some might think this is common sense, but it's all necessary to understand.
The chapter also takes the reader through the legal process, showing the right steps of following a case and getting as much information you can from interviews, statements, perp walks, and more. It really pushes the research side of things and says that even police officers can lie (or make an error), so EVERYTHING needs to be checked. Sources from both public records and actual people will be needed, and as long as you have your facts straight you should make a pretty captivating story.

CHAPTER 5. This section deals exclusively with covering the crime and the victims who were involved. The intro chapter touches on this subject, but Chapter 5 leaves no stone unturned in the matter. Now identifying the victim may be simple, but approaching people for interviews and taking everything into accound can be tough for some situations. Obviously sometimes people dont want to talk at the scene or during a rough part of the situation, but places like the police station, hostpitals, on the phone, and even arranged meetings are good ways to get info from the victims as well as other people who may be in the know (friends, relatives, doctors, officers, etc.)
These interviewing or information-getting strategies may be good for most cases, but the chapter makes a clear distinction between "most cases" and rape/sexual assault cases. Victims of these crimes are almost never identified, and are clearly put into a different category in terms of how they are regarded as victims. Here are three points about rape victims as made by the chapter:
Rape is different from other crimes. Society often blames the victims. Studies show rape victims suffer from the stigma of being "damaged" by the experience.
Rape victims are less likely to report the crime if they know their names will be published or broadcast. Rape is already the most underreported violent crime in the country.
Because rape victims are treated with such insensitivity by society, they deserve a level of privacy not afforded other crime victims.
There is a lot of debate as to how they should be treated, and news editors are split almost right down the middle as to whether to offer extra sympathy or confidentiality (some have no choice due to state laws), or to treat them like any other victim on any other crime. Normally, as the chapter indicates, for such strong subjeect matter, it's always a good strategy to "err on the side of caution" and withhold certain facts.

CHAPTER 7. Court stuff. I think it's boring stuff, but I may have to use the info one day so i might as well learn it now. If you look at the court section in the textbook, there's about 5,000 different times that a court case can be reported on, but this article condenses it just a bit. They address the trial courts, intermediate courts, and supreme level. They each have their own mini-sections, but those are the big 3.
To cover the beat, it's important to get into a rhythm of how the court procces, judge, and timing works so that you can always be at the right place at the right time. Sounds like a lot of work, if I ever do it i better get some kind of medal. The section on covering the beat also explains that the reporter must be concise and observant. Simply put, get EVERY fact you possibly can, and then put int into a well-ordered story without too much commentary or jargon. Leave that kind of stuff to CourtTV.
The chapter also talks a lot about "following the paper." The docket sheet will continue to grow, and those legal documents are the best way to get important information AND avoid libel. Also, the court is littered with people who can be important sources like clerks, lawyers, bailiffs, and other administrators.
Covering the trial, according to the section, is a lot like covering a sporting event. Really? Hmmm. You gotta know the "players" and be ready for penalties and referees to make big calls. Follow the case through the trial, judge, and jury perspectives and your readers will be itching for the big result.
The chapter finishes an explanation of...you guessed it. Law. Journalism Law though. It discusses the 1st and 6th Amendments (free speech and fair/open trial, respectively) and tells reporters to be aware of these laws and be prepared to stand up for them when necessary.

Well, thats it for this weeks reading. I think this is my longest entry so far, but it was a lot of material so it's worth it I suppose.