Hate Crime

[sharpegirl]

What is the name of your state? Mass.

I'm a novelist and am currently doing research for a book that is focused on a hate crime.

What I'm really looking for is details to how things are done to set up for a trial and what type of questions would be asked during the trial.

The story: a young man was left for dead in a parking lot with the word "fag" carved on his chest, hit in the head with a tire iron. He survives, ID's his attacker as an 18 year old from school. When the police do a search, they find the tire iron with fingerprints and blood on it. The attacker still pleads not guilty to attempted murder.

To my understanding, the witnesses would be subponead by the court, perhaps contacted by the assistant district attorney. What I really need to know is how the process works, what questions will be asked, how the witnesses would be prepared to face trial, and what the maximum sentence would be for such a violent crime.

Thanks,
T. Sharpe

[xylene]

You should go to a court and observe the procedures

You should interview at least one prosecutor, ideally many more.

You should interview police officials and detectives who have major case experience.

You should interview assault victims AND the criminals who committed such crimes.

These are the 'voices' you need to achieve good characterization and credibility of tone and mood.

An expert legal consultant should be obtained before publication for fact checking if the novel:

Has even a glancing resemblance to a real case

Is expected to be documentary

Must achieve a highly detailed and exact legal rubric.

This review process should inform any rewriting.

[SHORTY LONG]

Xylene, respectfully, outstanding, and superbly written Free Legal Advice.

[CavemanLawyer]

I've tried a number of these cases on both sides of the bar. I'd like to help you but it might be tough to do on a forum. Do you have an email or some kind of instant messenger account?

[sharpegirl]

caveman, that would be amazing, my e-mail is [email]teslaoconnell@gmail.com[/email]

[FoXyLaDy223]

Let us know when you are finished with the book and if it becomes published.. sounds like an interesting read. I love a good book.