I'm interested in the origin and propagation of this particular trope: Extremely drunk driver, with bottle of booze in the car, gets in a crash, possibly killing someone, with plenty of witnesses. The driver, either on his own initiative or after calling someone (perhaps a lawyer) for advice, gets out of the car and starts publicly drinking great volumes from the bottle. [more inside]
posted by 256 on Mar 13, 2013 - 13 answers

Looking for books about dirty cops. [more inside]
posted by reenum on Oct 27, 2010 - 18 answers

Can I publish my fiction about a deceased historic public figure without fear of action from his estate? [more inside]
posted by IndigoSkye on Feb 2, 2010 - 5 answers

Recent dramas have used (without ambiguity) the name and image of real living figures and events in fiction and film. How this is legally possible? Is it covered by Fair Use? [more inside]
posted by Hugobaron on Nov 5, 2008 - 17 answers

I just saw The Bank Job and had a question about the disclaimer at the end [more inside]
posted by daksya on Jun 16, 2008 - 6 answers

What would a person have to do in order to get a one year jail sentence in the California penal system. [more inside]
posted by SECONDHANDSMOTE on Feb 15, 2008 - 18 answers

Can you libel someone in fiction if you don't use their name? If I were to write a story based on a real murder, in which anyone from my home town would instantly recognize the source, can an acquitted murderer sue me? [more inside]
posted by Bookhouse on Jul 27, 2006 - 18 answers