JQuery :: Pass An ID Or Variable From Hyperlink To Target Page

I have an unordered list of hyperlinks present in a right sidebar on each page where each list item is a specific topic. For example:

Drunk Driving
Homicide
Rape
Molestation
Etc.

Right now each of these simply hyperlinks to a page that contains a similar list with a few additions and those list items utilize the .load function to draw an external page for each topic into a div located below the list.

So, the sidebar list currently just links to 'crime.html' and 'crime.html' has a JQuery .load functionality built into the list of crimes that summons the respective topic pages into the target div. What I want to do is figure out a way where IF they click on one of the sidebar list items it takes them to the 'crime.html' and displays the specific topic they clicked on automatically in the target div. Right now anytime they click on the sidebar links (any of them) they merely take the person to the 'crime.html' page where would then have to select the topic again from the list that's present which then summons.. yep.. the external file into the target div. So, trying to eliminate that need for the 2nd click.

Here's the code I have on the 'crime.html' page that summons the external pages into the target div and provides some animation (fade in, out):

$(document).ready(function() {
$('#crimecontent').load('prostitution.html');
$('.crimes li a').click(function() {
var toLoad = $(this).attr('href');

[Code].....

Notice they all point to crime.html since I don't know how I can pass a specific topic to display. Therefore, they have to click again when they get to crime.html.