How do I get a list of confidential informants?

Smaller jurisdictions typically rely on institutional memory rather than specific lists. People are free to try to make a public records request for lists of informant under the Freedom of Information Act or under a state public records law.

Who is your informant?

An informant (also called an informer) is a person who provides privileged information about a person or organization to an agency. The term is usually used within the law enforcement world, where they are officially known as confidential human source (CHS), or criminal informants (CI).

How are confidential informants protected?

When does the government have the right to keep an informant’s identity secret? Under California evidence law, prosecutors have a privilege to refuse to identify—and to prevent other people from identifying—a person who has furnished information to the government about criminal activity.

Can confidential informants sell drugs?

Yes, confidential informants can and do sell drugs, and then their buyers may be arrested and charged with drug possession. In other cases, they arrest and charge low level users.

Can you find out if someone is a confidential informant?

The general rule is that the prosecution doesn’t have to disclose the identity of a confidential informant. However, this rule has many exceptions; if a criminal defendant can show the importance of the CI’s identity to the case, it may be possible to find out who’s been talking to the cops.

Why does the FBI have a policy on confidential informants?

However, because of the criminal backgrounds of most confidential informants, they can become a major problem for law enforcement if not handled carefully. This is why the FBI has developed detailed policies and procedures setting forth how confidential informants are to be handled.

What is an example of a confidential informant in a sentence?

For example, say the police arrest Joe for embezzlement based on the information provided by a confidential informant, his accountant Ricky. Joe learns from the prosecution that the unnamed CI was involved in the embezzlement and is the main source of evidence for the prosecution. Joe argues that he needs to know the CI’s identity.

Do prosecutors have to disclose the identity of confidential informants?

While normally prosecutors have to disclose all witnesses who are relevant to the case whether or not those witnesses will testify, they often don’t have to reveal the identity of confidential informants (CIs). The government has an interest in not giving up the identity of a confidential informant to a defendant or anyone else.