Informant reforms: focussing on oversight
Article Abstract:
More substantial rules need to be established for the use of informants during criminal investigations, as past events show that the current rules benefit the informer at the expense of justice. Negative information on an informant should be presented to any judge asked to provide a warrant based on the informant's claims, and the judges themselves should check an informer's credibility. A database of bad informers should be developed and the use of all informants should be limited to specific situations. Lastly, corroboration of an informant's claims should be required.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1995
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Did informer and sheriff plot a political revenge?
Article Abstract:
Sheriff Merrill A. Greathouse pursued a drug dealing investigation against James and John Edenfield after their father supported Greathouse's opponent for sheriff. Greathouse agreed to pay $10,000 to an informant, Tony Watson, to catch the Edenfields with more than one ounce of cocaine even though they never purchased that much alone, according to Watson. Watson set them up but the case against the Edenfields was dismissed by the pretrial judge after Watson testified. The 11th Circuit Court reinstated the case and the brothers got lenient sentences.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1995
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Secret threat to justice: there are few controls over the hidden alliance of agents and informers
Article Abstract:
The US criminal justice system is being undermined by the use of informants who receive benefits, such as reduced sentences, for testifying. Judges do not attempt to control this use while agents employ informants to get warrants without probable cause. There is no judicial oversight and many instances where what rules do exist were ignored. However, informants are a traditional source for underworld intelligence and so better control is necessary. A list of abuses is included.
Publication Name: The National Law Journal
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0162-7325
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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