NCJ Number
18555
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1975) Pages: 21-25
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF THE FACTORS AND CONSIDERATIONS WHICH DETERMINE WHETHER A POLICE INFORMER'S IDENTITY MAY BE REVEALED AT TRIAL.
Abstract
THE 1957 SUPREME COURT RULING IN ROVIARO V. UNITED STATES HELD THAT DISCLOSURE OF THE INFORMER'S IDENTITY DEPENDS ON THE PARTICULAR FACTUAL STIUATION OF EACH CASE. STATE COURT DECISIONS AND POST-ROVIARO FEDERAL DECISIONS HAVE ESTABLISHED THE NATURE OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE INFORMER AS ONE OF THE MOST RELEVANT FACTORS IN A DISCLOSURE ISSUE. FOUR CLASSIFICATIONS OF INFORMER INVOLVEMENT TIPSTER, WITNESS, GO-BETWEEN, AND FULL PARTICIPANT IN THE CRIMINAL ACT - ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED. JUDICIAL DECISIONS REGARDING THE DISCLOSURE OF EACH TYPE OF INFORMER ARE ANALYZED.