A responsive, knowledgeable and skilled attorney. 0000000016 00000 n He explained to my husband and I what my son was facing. If a defendant doesn't ask for disclosure of the identity at one of these two times, then the issue is waived (meaning that the defendant can't find out the identity later). If an individual is giving information to the police that could land you in jail, you deserve the right to face that person in a court of law in an attempt to clear your name. Active listening for police - a skill for conflict avoidance. Whatever the amount of money that may be offered in exchange for you becoming a CI may not be worth you and your loved ones being put in danger. However, you need a tireless defense team fighting on your behalf. "In my mind, he was given a license to kill.". "Had management been fully informed, we could have implemented strategies and taken a different tack that would have ultimately safeguarded more lives," he says. But those familiar with the case wonder how ICE could not have known about Lalo's exploits in Mexico the majority of which took place at a house in a middle-class neighborhood in Juarez. It depends. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating. Being a CI is a very dangerous, risky endeavor. Courtesy Texas DMV, U.S. D.O.J. Our consultant Dr John Buckley will be. Additionally, the defense can ask the CI that testifies whether they have been offered a plea deal or to drop their charges in exchange for the CIs testimony at trial. 0000001889 00000 n Expose any deals they have had with the prosecution to work off their charges in exchange for information, Play up the fact that they are being paid to inform against the defendant, Make them admit to wanting to avoid any negative consequences for themself or loved ones that would have occurred if they failed to cooperate. For this analysis, as is often the case, OSI recruits a CI, tasks the CI to collect information on the accused's use of a controlled substance, and then obtains information about the accused's use of a controlled substance at an off-base party. Beat a Confidential Information in Philadelphia | Cases with CI If you are the defendant in a trial where a CI is testifying, you could also benefit from having a defense attorney advise you. See are article relating to Missouri's witness protection program and the lack of uptake. 0000000966 00000 n hide caption. The more specific and detailed, the more likely a court is to accept a CI's information. "He would say, 'We're going to have a barbecue.' 0000000576 00000 n All these only go to reinforce stereotypes. Below is the best information and knowledge about how to beat a confidential informant compiled and compiled by the KTHN team, along with other related topics such as: signs of a confidential informant, what are the rules for a confidential informant, how to become a confidential informant, is it illegal to expose a confidential informant, Additionally, using a CI may be an excuse to have probable cause for a search, raid, or arrest when there isnt another probable cause. Today, Lalo insists he never killed anyone, though court documents show he admitted being present during several murders; he even acknowledged driving two victims to a Juarez house where he knew they'd be killed. If the CI's reports are consistent with other reports by third parties, it will increase a CI's credibility in court. Is a Confidential Informant Truthful? Criminal Defense Attorney in Philadelphia. For the best chance at beating a drug charge, you need an experienced drug crime attorney in Florida fighting hard on your behalf to prove your innocence to the courts and secure your freedom. ", Members of Mexico's Federal Agency of Investigations excavate the yard at the House of Death after two bodies were found there. How Do You Beat a Drug Trafficking Charge in Florida? In other words, the police claim that your charge will be lessened or maybe even go away if you work as a snitch for the police. 0000001540 00000 n a confidential informant is a secret source who, through a contact officer, supplies information on criminal activity to the police or law enforcement agent. You dont even have to hire the attorney, but this type of advice and this decision could affect you the rest of your life. Members of Mexico's Federal Agency of Investigations excavate the yard at the House of Death after two bodies were found there. Though widely acknowledged as vital to law enforcement, social scientists have largely ignored the practice of confidential informing. By searching the informant, surveilling the buy, and taking other similar measures, the goal is to eliminate the possibility that the informant could plant the drugs on the suspect in order to fulfill the deal with the police. Once the case was done, ICE was also done with Lalo. As with most things in the legal world, knowing how to beat a CI depends on your case. Although drug trafficking is a felony charge that can carry steep consequences upon a conviction, it is possible to form a suitable legal defense that can help protect your rights and keep you out of prison even if you are a repeat offender. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyers peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. This creates a record that the deal happened and that the informant is telling the truth about the amount of drugs and money involved, particularly if the seller is arrested immediately and in possession of the bills with pre-recorded serial numbers. 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. A Bureau of Justice Assistance Monograph. And the CI must answer the question truthfully or else possibly face sanctions in court. Once you sell to the CI, you are busted/arrested by the police (typically undercover federal or state agents and/or other law enforcement). The pros and cons of being a confidential informant. Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Secondly, know all the versions of the s. For those involved in law enforcement this book will help in the application of your new knowledge The Human Source Management System. A common myth that is absolutely not true is that confidential informants do not testify in trials. Additionally, if a person dies as a result of your drug supply you may face a much longer sentence and possible manslaughter or homicide charges as well. [It is only available to law enforcement.]. On the other hand, police and prosecutors' concern for confidential informants is not misplaced. But this is nearly non-existent in state cases and rare, at best, in federal cases. Guadalupe Juarez/AFP/Getty Images Confidential Informants: Protecting Their Identity Once an informant is known, the drug traffickers are quick to retaliate. 142 0 obj<>stream Even repeat offenders have the chance to beat their charges and avoid a conviction with the right legal help. There may be other reasons why the identity of the CI will be revealed. Possess or use a dangerous drug. The CI may do controlled buys. This means that the CI will have an agreement with the police. And he didn't need the money he was already making plenty in Juarez's drug trade. Just think if the police say your charge will be dismissed if you work as a CI and later on your charges are not dropped Who are you going to complain to? How Can Mitigation Help Get Me The Lowest Possible Sentence? There should be an audit trail detail who has seen the true identity and when they saw it. "So where are we going to find any help if we can't trust the U.S.?". 6. How to beat a confidential informant - Quora The killings in Juarez took place more than six years ago. Read More >>. xb```Il@r/ 0! These Guidelines do not apply to the use of Confidential Informants in foreign intelligence or foreign counterintelligence . In a court case, the prosecution must disclose any evidence and witnesses they have against the defense during a discovery process. We contacted our attorney in the state where we live and he recommended Matt to us. For a free legal consultation, call 215.515.3360. The most common way to become an FBI informant is to be approached by the FBI. In most cases involving a confidential informant they, by necessity, use people that have a horrible criminal history. The CI will likely be paying with marked money. CIs are regular folks that provide law enforcement with confidential, possibly damning, information against you. In most cases, confidential informants are suspects that have been arrested or convicted for crimes of their own, but cut a deal with police and prosecutors to reduce their sentence in exchange. He tipped Bencomo to a corrupt U.S. immigration agent who was taking bribes from drug gangs. If youre worried about how to beat a confidential informant, let the, represent you. Justin is an absolute professional and took the time I needed to explain the process and his role thoroughly. Unfortunately, beating a confidential informant presents a particular set of challenges that are not always readily overcome. If the judge grants the motion to compel disclosure, the prosecution has some tough choices to make: If they dont want to burn their CI or if they dont have one, they wont disclose the identity, and the case will be dismissed. The amount of a drug for which trafficking charges are applicable varies depending on the substance. "He kept us so busy we were so behind on reports that we told him to go take a vacation just to let us catch up on reports," Bencomo says. He is the best !! If you are wondering how to beat a drug charge in the state of Florida and have an upcoming court case for these criminal charges, contact Weinstein Legal today and ask for criminal defense attorney Matt Shafran.