Resources

IF YOU’RE NOT A LAWYER OR COP…

One of the questions I’m often asked is, “How can you write a legal thriller if you’re not a lawyer?” The answer is, I have a passion for the law. I am a legal voyeur, a court watcher, and I happen to be married to a man who made the law his career. However, having an in-house research department isn’t enough. The only way to write a procedural when you are not part of the system is to research, study, and embrace the challenge. To help you get started, I’ve listed some of the agencies that have been helpful to me.  Choose one or explore them all. Don’t forget local colleges and extension programs also offer a wealth of information. One of the best classes I ever took was given by the head of the sheriff’s crime lab in Los Angeles. It was called, Crime Scene Investigation for the Writer. Priceless.

And, if you want your work to be authentic, don’t forget the details. Procedures, titles and jurisdictions change from city to city so make sure you visit the website or contact the agencies in the city you’re writing about. For example:

In Los Angeles check:

Los Angeles Police Department

Los Angeles County Sheriff

California Highway Patrol

Los Angeles Superior Court

For Federal Law Enforcement Questions:

U.S. Marshals

U.S. Attorney

Federal Bureau of Prisons

U.S. Courts

FBI

Other Legal Resources:

Bar organizations(ethnic,city,social)

Legal secretarial organizations

Legislative codes

All of these resources have websites to get you started. If you contact the public information officer, an attorney, judge, or police professional make sure you have your questions ready. They’ll recognize your professionalism and your book will be the better for it.

 

 

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This article is copyright ©  Rebecca Forster