THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES OF CRIME - FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS

THE TWO CATEGORIES OF FELONIES - VIOLENT CRIME AND PROPERTY CRIME

MOST NEWS STORIES FOCUS ON FELONIES

ATTRIBUTION - ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN COP STORIES BECAUSE YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT CLAIMS (ALLEGATIONS) THAT PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED SERIOUS CRIMES.

ATTRIBUTION IS ALSO IMPORTANT BECAUSE MUCH OF THE INFORMATION YOU OBTAIN IS FROM POLICE AND NOT FROM FIRSTHAND OBSERVATION.
 
ALWAYS ATTRIBUTE - BY NAME AND RANK OR JOB TITLE - INFORMATION YOU DON'T GATHER OR OBSERVE YOURSELF.

DEFINITIONS:

ALLEGATION

CHARGE

CONVICTION

A BURGLARY IS WHEN SOMEONE BREAKS INTO YOUR HOME AND STEALS SOMETHING WHEN YOU'RE NOT THERE

A ROBBERY IS WHEN SOMEONE ROBS YOU PERSONALLY AND TAKES SOMETHING, POSSIBLY INJURING YOU IN THE PROCESS.

AN ARREST LOG IS A LISTING OF ALL CRIMES AND INCIDENTS A POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS HANDLED

AN ARREST REPORT IS THE DOCUMENTATION POLICE MOST COMPLETE ANY TIME SOMEONE IS ARRESTED

TIPS -

NEVER MAKE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF PEOPLE IN A CASE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING. THE SUSAN SMITH CASE IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE CHARLES STUART CASE IN BOSTON ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS.

AVOID USING POLICE JARGON IN YOUR STORY - GET IT IN PLAIN ENGLISH

EXAMPLE: "The suspect made egress from the domicile and proceeded in a westerly direction. He was apprehended following a foot chase with officers."

IN ENGLISH:

"The suspect ran out of the house and headed west. Police officers chased him and captured him."

www.fbi.gov

Bureau of Justice Statistics