Question about Police interaction with DA's office

[wannabewriter]

Hello Real Police,

So I'm trying to write a mystery novel in my spare time and one of the main characters is a patrolman in New York City who is involved in a minor arrest that turns into something much larger.

In an effort to make things as accurate and realistic as possible, I have some mundane questions about the interactions between police and prosecutors. Namely, what is the process if an officer is going to testify in a case where they made the arrest? Does the prosecutor call the arresting officer and have him/her come down to the DA's office to discuss the case and prepare? How long before that happens? How much interaction do patrol officers and prosecutors have when building a case for something like drug possession or assaulting a police officer?

Since it's for a story, the answers can be from any state or region. Doesn't have to be NYC. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[MountainMan]

For a nomimal fee many of the officers here would be willing to answer many of the questions you have. Due to the large volumes of people requesting information on assorted law enforcement topics for their manuscript or screen play fees may be increasing.

I would P.M. some of the verfied officers and see what they charge for a consulting fee.

[Citicop]

Here, we're lucky to get 2 minutes before trial starts to talk to the PA.

We have very little interaction with the PAs, even when right in front of them here. When applying for a warrant, I bring a book to read while the PA reads the report in complete silence, more often than not.

-Citicop.

[cntryboy0531]

For a nomimal fee many of the officers here would be willing to answer many of the questions you have. Due to the large volumes of people requesting information on assorted law enforcement topics for their manuscript or screen play fees may be increasing.

I would P.M. some of the verfied officers and see what they charge for a consulting fee.

We have been getting a lot of these lately....

[wannabewriter]

Here, we're lucky to get 2 minutes before trial starts to talk to the PA.

We have very little interaction with the PAs, even when right in front of them here. When applying for a warrant, I bring a book to read while the PA reads the report in complete silence, more often than not.

-Citicop.

Thanks for the response. As a follow up, is it possible for an officer to call a prosecutor and tell them to drop the charges? Or is it that once a charge has been filed, there's no going back unless the prosecutor chooses to do so?

[Citicop]

Thanks for the response. As a follow up, is it possible for an officer to call a prosecutor and tell them to drop the charges? Or is it that once a charge has been filed, there's no going back unless the prosecutor chooses to do so?

Once they file a charge, it's their case to do what they want with. If I have a good reason (the suspect has come to me with good info about something more serious, for example) they might listen, but generally, I would be out of luck.

-Citicop.

[wannabewriter]

Once they file a charge, it's their case to do what they want with. If I have a good reason (the suspect has come to me with good info about something more serious, for example) they might listen, but generally, I would be out of luck.

-Citicop.

Thanks. Much appreciated!

[Joeyd6]

As a former NYPD, my fee is quite reasonable....$100 per hour. I will make it pretty damn accurate.