can someone who works for a lawyer be an informant

However, while there are some things law enforcement is required to disclose when recruiting someone, this is not one of them. This right is only upon request and you are not required to be informed of it. If you have been asked by law enforcement to work as a confidential informant, tell them you want to speak with an attorney first.

Full Answer

Why do I need a lawyer for informant protection?

Because the police and prosecution will usually not make any promises, it is vitally important that you have an attorney that has an excellent working relationship with detectives and the prosecution. That relationship is what will protect an informant from being betrayed by the police or prosecution.

Can a lawyer interrupt an informant during a conversation?

Instead, the conversation should be focused on what other people are doing. If the conversation strays to talking about the informant, the attorney can interrupt. If an informant is ever nervous or has question they will usually be allowed to stop and privately consult with their attorney.

Is it legal to be an informant for the police?

The CI is protected by confidentiality among law enforcement agents and the courts. This is known as the informer’s privilege—though it is not absolute. If you are arrested for or accused of a crime, law enforcement agents or a prosecutor may approach you about becoming a confidential informant.

Do you have to testify in court as an informant?

Every day dozens of people are working with the police as part of a plea deal or for money. Normally, defendants who become informants are not present during an arrest and they normally do not have to testify in court. Often, the suspect does not even know who set them up.

Who is considered an 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 does someone become an informant?

Becoming an FBI Informant by Being Approached The most common way to become an FBI informant is to be approached by the FBI. If the FBI has identified you as a person who has a connection to a criminal enterprise, activity or target, the Bureau may approach you to provide it with information.

How can u tell if someone is a informant?

Here are ten warning signs:Something feels “off.” Something about them just doesn't line up. ... Despite the misgivings of some members, the individual quickly rises to a leadership position. ... S/he photographs actions, meetings, and people that should not be photographed. ... S/he is a liar.More items...•

How much money can you make as an informant?

What Is the Average Confidential Informant Salary by StateStateAnnual SalaryMonthly PayCalifornia$73,384$6,115Vermont$73,231$6,103South Carolina$72,461$6,038Wyoming$72,376$6,03146 more rows

Can anyone become an informant?

An informant may be considered anyone who is used through law enforcement agencies to provide information about criminal activity.

What are the 3 types of informants?

THREE TYPES OF POLICE INFORMANTS INCLUDE CRIMINALS, CITIZENS, AND POLICE OFFICERS. THE CRIMINAL USUALLY INFORMS FOR SOME POLICE FAVOR, BUT CAN CREATE RELIABILITY PROBLEMS. USUALLY, CRIMINAL INFORMANTS MUST HAVE PROVIDED RELIABLE INFORMATION IN THE PAST OR INFORMATION IMPLICATING THEMSELVES.

Do informants still wear wires?

Typically the police are in plain clothes in an undercover vehicle.. All of this is a disguise so that you cannot know the police are watching. The CI may be wearing a wire or recording device. The recording devices used have become very sophisticated and are virtually undetectable.

How can you tell if someone is undercover?

Unmarked police vehicles can often be recognized by features like municipal plates, clusters of antennas, and dark tinted windows. When you're scrutinizing a could-be cop in person, look out for short, neatly-groomed military hairstyles, heavy-duty boots, or baggy clothing with lots of pockets.

How do confidential informants work?

A CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT IS A SECRET SOURCE WHO, THROUGH A CONTACT OFFICER, SUPPLIES INFORMATION ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITY TO THE POLICE OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT.

Can a confidential informant be revealed?

Uncovering the Identity a Confidential Informant After a defendant has made a motion to reveal the identity of a CI, the court will evaluate the circumstances and evidence in the case, and then make a call about how important knowing the identity of the informant is to the defendant's defense.

What's a federal informant?

A criminal informant is commonly known as a “confidential informant,” or simply a “CI,” who are individuals who make the decision to assist federal law enforcement agents make arrest of other people involved in criminal activity.

What is an FBI asset?

In intelligence, assets are persons within organizations or countries being spied upon who provide information for an outside spy. They are sometimes referred to as agents, and in law enforcement parlance, as confidential informants, or "CIs" for short.

Can snitching get you out of jail?

It's not as dangerous as it appears on screen, but neither is it a get-out-of-jail-free card. Giving police information as an informant can help reduce your sentence, according to Snitching.org, but it's not an automatic process.

What's a federal informant?

A criminal informant is commonly known as a “confidential informant,” or simply a “CI,” who are individuals who make the decision to assist federal law enforcement agents make arrest of other people involved in criminal activity.

How is entrapment used as a defense?

An entrapment defense arises when government agents resort to repugnant behavior such as the use of threats, harassment, fraud, or even flattery to induce defendants to commit crimes.

What are some of the benefits with utilizing informants as it pertains to criminal investigations?

Informants can “teach” investigators about communi- ties, help police remove offenders from communities, and provide an ongoing feedback loop to investigators regarding community sentiments, issues, evolving norms, and concerns related to crime, safety, and how policing is being conducted.