This type of offer is actually very common for a first time offender who has no prior experience in the federal criminal justice system. If you were arrested for a what is considered a minor federal crime, you might be offered an opportunity to become a federal criminal informant in order to get your charges reduced, receive probation, or even a case dismissal. How to Become a Federal Confidential Informant You should always consult with a federal criminal defense lawyer before making any decisions. In other words, it's not always an easy decision and anyone who is considering becoming an informant needs to have a clear understanding of the benefits and risks. However, it should be noted, there are also some drawbacks on becoming an informant. There are several situations where it proves beneficial for someone to become an informant in a federal criminal case. In exchange, the informant will usually be given a promise of leniency or some type of probation, rather than receiving a severe criminal penalty federal judge would typically impose under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.ĭue to the severe penalties that are mandated by these Guidelines, which include mandatory minimum prison sentences, there are people who have been accused of committing a federal crime who make the decision to become an “informant” in an effort to avoid these severe penalties. There are situations where federal agents might offer a deal for someone to act as a criminal informant. It's not a secret that being convicted of a federal offense often carries severe penalties. Exchange of Information for a Promise of Leniency To give readers a better understanding of confidential criminal informants and helping people decide whether they should cooperate with agents, our federal criminal defense lawyers are providing an overview below. In most cases, the criminal informant will be asked to assist federal agents for several months, or years, before they will agree to a “deal” to help them with their case. It should be noted federal agents won't usually make an agreement where the informant only assist them one time for just one arrest. In many cases, it means not just providing the agents with some information about criminal conduct of others, but also taking a lead role in helping them collect evidence by wearing a wire or participating in “controlled buys” of illegal drugs.įor example, the informant could make an agreement with federal agents to participate in a specific number controlled buys that result in arrest in exchange for getting their criminal charges reduced or dismissed. The CI is normally expected to provide federal agents with significant assistance in helping them make an arrest. The primary motivation of a criminal informant is to provide information in exchange for some leniency in a criminal case pending against them. 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.
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