how to beat a confidential informant

"It hit me like cold water in the face; it just feels terrible. Today, no one goes to the metal gate at the house where cartel murderers brought their victims and ultimately buried them in the tiny backyard. A confidential informant ("CI") is someone that is typically facing criminal charges and law enforcement convinces the CI to "work off" their criminal charges. The killings in Juarez took place more than six years ago. "We were told to continue, so for them to say that they didn't know about it, that is a total lie.". As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. If the CI doesnt testify against you but the State uses the evidence from the CI against you, your attorney would need to know how to argue against the admissibility of this information. To the U.S. government, he was officially informant No. Justin was referred to me by a friend who had been represented by him and enthusiastically encouraged me to connect with him when I was wary of pursuing legal action. For example, if you are a parent a drug trafficking charge in Florida may pose challenges for your custody agreement, particularly if your children were present for any portion of the alleged crime. Other times that it may be more difficult to secure a conviction include drug trafficking charges that result in another persons overdose. Confidential informants arent the same as anonymous sources or tipsters. Mexican law enforcement officials load a corpse found at the Juarez drug cartel's House of Death into a truck in January 2004. There may be other reasons why the identity of the CI will be revealed. In this hour of need and when this medical pro Mat was such a relief to our family! The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. He is already one step ahead of the prosecutor and is well familiar with the techniques they will likely employ in an attempt to convict you. 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. It hit me like cold water in the face; it just feels terrible. Motives and Motivations of Confidential Informants CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS - Official FBIretired Website 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. This video explains the risks and benefits of working as a police confidential informant. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards. You order drugs from the CI. Confidential Informant Testifies as Government Witness. Keep in mind that courts often determine whether to accept a confidential informant's evidence as credible based on the totality of the circumstances in that case -- which may include other factors not listed here. Even repeat offenders have the chance to beat their charges and avoid a conviction with the right legal help. You impeach them on the stand, which discredits the evidence, information, and testimony they give. It also shows how to gain maximum benefits from using informants while maintaining the integrity of the agencies and investigators who rely on informant information. A common myth that is absolutely not true is that confidential informants do not testify in trials. All rights reserved.|Disclaimer|Privacy policy. Confidential informants, will have always have their own agendas and will sometimes be motivated to lie and obstruct justice while claiming to be help. Fabricating a confidential informant can lead to dire consequencesfor the objects of police raids if things go awry. How to beat a confidential informant - Quora In a court case, the prosecution must disclose any evidence and witnesses they have against the defense during a discovery process. The state will do its best to not reveal the identity of the CI. Head of the criminal defense division and fellow partner Matt Shafran is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Florida who is ready and willing to fight aggressively in a court of law to defend your rights. 0000000966 00000 n When the El Paso DEA office got wind of what was happening, the agent in charge was stunned. This decision can affect you and others for the rest of your life. You may not have enough time to talk to a lawyer about what your options are before deciding whether you want to be a government snitch. The CI may be required to testify in a trial of the person they are snitching on. 0000001712 00000 n The police can use information gained from the CI about you that the Government can use when prosecuting your case. The Confidential Informant may be a drug dealer, a significant other, someone you are friends with, someone that works for you, someone that you work for, etc. And Lalo was with them. he says. Fortunately we have done it for you. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, please visit our Ratings Page on Martindale.com and our Frequently Asked Questions. The informant is given money from the police department, with the serial numbers recorded, to ensure that the money is actually given to the suspect. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location, (city, Generally, informants may enjoy more protection from being identified or forced to testify in court than other laypeople. There are basically three types of informants: those who agree to cooperate with the police in exchange for favorable treatment in their own cases; those who inform in exchange for money; and citizen-informants who inform out of a sense of civic duty. In all, there were 12 victims. 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 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. Bencomo says Lalo was different from other informants. If you have questions about how a confidential informant may affect your case, consult an experienced criminal defense lawyer near you. Understanding motive and motivation. 0000001094 00000 n 6. My reservations were quickly eased during my initial consultation. Confidentiality is what makes the informant valuable. What Are the Different Types of Injunctions in Florida? Can a felon be a confidential informant? What evidence is needed to Believe it or not it is legal for law enforcement to pay a government snitch! "There were these code words that the bosses would say to Lalo," Huerta says. Copyright 2022 Susan E. Williams, Summerville, SC, All Rights Reserved. I would recommend Justin without reservation to anyone seeking representation. "Are you kidding me? I took the recording and I told my supervisor that I didn't wish to be part of the case.". His performance in court was outstanding and gave me a big victory. The more specific and detailed, the more likely a court is to accept a CI's information. Among the victims were two U.S. residents. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbells extensive attorney database. Call 954-845-0505 any time, day or night, to speak with a member of our team. "I had to go to the restroom and throw up. Eventually, U.S. officials told Mexican authorities about the bodies buried at the House of Death. Defending Against Informants in Drug Sales Cases | Ray Kimble The attorney How to discredit a confidential informant during a criminal trial - Quora The government does not have the resources or time to do this. The CI may do controlled buys. This means that the CI will have an agreement with the police. Gonzalez lodged a complaint against ICE. The most common way to become an FBI informant is to be approached by the FBI. The statute that outlines drug trafficking laws specifically in the state of Florida is Chapter 893.135. A relatively untested CI, with no resulting arrests or convictions, may be less likely to be believed. confidential relationship is or should be formed by use of the site. 1 ANSWER. This is the point in time some potential clients reach out to a criminal defense lawyer for advice. This is often the case in former business partners who have been scorned, former lovers, and even individuals who used to be friends but had a falling out. He will stop at nothing to ensure that your rights remain protected and that you receive a fair day in court. If youre worried about how to beat a confidential informant, let the Law Offices of MJ Snyder represent you. It all depends on the facts of your case. The government could decide to charge someone who does that with obstruction of justice, among other things. We received a return call in minutes and Matt was able to visit our son a few hours later after finishing representing other clients in court. The team at Weinstein Legal will evaluate your case and can best advise you on the strategy we will use in regard to how to beat a drug trafficking charge, therefore preserving your freedoms and constitutional rights. Receive a phone call from attorney Marni Jo Snyder for a free initial consultation. In the end the police are working for the government and you are left holding the bag. Eventually, a dozen bodies were unearthed at the site. In the United States, you must also remember that as a defendant in a criminal case you have the right to face your accused. Members of Mexico's Federal Agency of Investigations excavate the yard at the House of Death after two bodies were found there. "I was shocked. Possess a dangerous drug for sale. However, an informant whos been burnt obviously wont be trusted in their typical circles. The agent may be calling you at odd hours and making unreasonable requests that put you or your loved ones in danger. The CI will likely be paying with marked money. "This is an isolated incident, where in fact the person was held accountable when they didn't follow our procedures.". Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. In many cases, the confidential informant is facing some type of criminal charges themselves, so their cooperation is motivated by the possibility of lessening their own charges. A person shall not knowingly: 1. If you need help defending yourself from these cases, our criminal defense firm can help. Supplemental Terms. A Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer at our firm will work tirelessly to protect your rights and your freedom, Federal Judge Questions Push to Imprison Trans Activist, Josie Robotin, Police Use DNA, Video Footage, and Phone Records to ID Idaho Murders Suspect, Jenkintown Woman Sentenced for Lighting Police Cars on Fire During George Floyd Protests, Motion to Suppress: Pennsylvania Search Warrant Update, 5 Things to Know About House Arrest in Pennsylvania, 6 Things To Know About Drug Possession In Pennsylvania, Guide to Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges in Pennsylvania. It often comes to light that things may not be as they seem and this can greatly help your defense. Mathew is really eloquent and smart. Put crudely . His sincerity, empathy and commitment to advocating on my behalf were apparent. Ultimately, Matt was able to negotiate a pretrial diversion program where all charges will be dismissed once my son has completed a 6 month program. What Is the Difference between Kidnapping and False Imprisonment. 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. In the 1960s, a trio of Supreme Court decisions Hoffa v. United States, Lewis v. United States, and Osborn v. United States made clear that police have a relatively free hand to use informants. Sign up. A lawyer may be able to communicate with the agent to notify the agent you no longer wish to work as a snitch, or at least get an idea of how many more times the agent expects you to work. In the fall of 2003, Santillan and a band of crooked Mexican police officers went on an eight-month crime spree killing, kidnapping and torturing drug rivals in Juarez. Additionally, using a CI may be an excuse to have probable cause for a search, raid, or arrest when there isnt another probable cause. Counter-Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism, Intelligence Management and Intelligence Led Policing, Expert testimony -Confidential Informant Management, The Human Source Management System (confidential informant book), Human Sources - Managing Confidential Informants, FREE: Intelligence Led Policing - Training Literature, FREE Deploying undercover officers or confidential informants into places of worshipNew Page, Free: Dealing with Domestic Violence: A guide for Police Officers, Motives and Motivations of Confidential Informants, Why - Understanding Motive and Motivation. A still from a video in which Lalo talks about his case. The true identity of a confidential informant should be strictly limited to an identified number of people. There are two opportunities to find out the identity of a confidential informant: before and during trial. This is the first time that Bencomo has talked publicly. With every new body, the smell would hit us it was horrible. The official state legislature does outline minimum sentences based on specific stipulations that are related to your charges. Confidentiality is what makes the informant valuable. The Drug Enforcement Administration blacklisted him. Both federal and state law enforcement officers use confidential informants. The reason for this is the police use the CI to gain probable cause for your arrest. and Raul Loya Secondly, know all the versions of the s. Uses their relationship with the FBI to have local, state, and Federal charges dismissed. How to Beat a Drug Trafficking Charge in Florida Skip to content. Drug trafficking charges are a felony offense, which can land you in prison for quite some time. . listings on the site are paid attorney advertisements. Working As A Confidential Informant Criminal or confidential informants assist law enforcement in setting up and busting others accused of violating the law somehow. reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and The agency began deportation proceedings with the intention of sending him back to Mexico. Should You Work as a Police Confidential Informant? Defense - YouTube It may be challenging for law enforcement to prove that you were the source of the narcotics that led to the individuals death and suspicion alone is not enough to convict a person and send them to jail for many years. 28 How To Beat A Confidential Informant 02/2023 - KTHN "We stayed there all night and watched as they pulled out bodies," Magana says. How to Become a Confidential Informant | Mental Itch Two ICE employees were forced to take early retirement, but others received light reprimands and are still on the job. Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites. PDF Confidential Informants: Protecting Their Identity 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. ICE says it learned some lessons dealing with Lalo. On April 8, 2020, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a new ruling on the use of confidential informants. 0 A confidential informants information can possibly be used against you for your arrest and later in your trial if you request a jury trial. and Raul Loya. Disclose the CI and risk the safety of their informant, lose their access to information, and discourage others from helping police in the future, or. The faces of Guillermo Eduardo Ramirez Peyro through the ages, from various drivers licenses, a passport and a video of him in jail. There is case law that the defense attorney can argue about disclosing the identity of tipsters versus active participants in criminal cases that involve CIs. An attorney may help you weigh your options. 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. We found ourselves against all odds. North Little Rock, AR Criminal Law Lawyers, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The pros and cons of being a confidential informant. It is essential to understand what the charge of drug trafficking means in the state of Florida, as well as the specifics of the legislation. Police and prosecutors generally want to keep the identity of their CI a secret. Possess equipment or chemicals, or both, for the purpose of manufacturing a dangerous drug. Acting under orders of the police, an informant may purchase drugs, place calls, or try to get the suspect to make an incriminating statement so the police can arrest . A few other articles found on the internet will give an expanded version of that list. for the objects of police raids if things go awry. Lalo has been in solitary confinement for more than five years. A conviction can have far-reaching negative impacts on your life and you stand to lose quite a few freedoms. The prosecution is not required to reveal CIs in discovery unless knowing their identity is detrimental to the defendants case. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals. xref He's in jail not for any of the crimes he allegedly committed in Mexico, but because ICE says he no longer has a legal right to be in the U.S. "Right now, I'm just fighting for my life," Lalo said. In any case, the outcome will most likely benefit you as the defendant. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed. Are Confidential Informants Credible? State House legislators last week overwhelmingly passed a bill that would require Kansas prosecutors to disclose information to defendants about so-called "jailhouse informants.". It is important for law enforcement to protect the credibility of the informant as much as possible. You will not be able to notice the marks. If a confidential informant can be used against you; Whether and when the identity of a confidential informant has to be disclosed; How a confidential informant can hurt your case; and. 913 to the runner, Guillermo Eduardo Ramirez Peyro, who went by the nickname Lalo. At a Border Patrol checkpoint, Lalo got caught smuggling more than 100 pounds of marijuana stuffed into the wheels of his pickup. Jordan says on top of all that, ICE knew who was doing the killing and where the bodies were buried, but didn't share any of that information with Mexican authorities. "So where are we going to find any help if we can't trust the U.S.?". The team at Weinstein Legal will use all of the resources available to them to help prove your innocence, including private investigators and more. 0000017958 00000 n For a free legal consultation, call 215.515.3360. 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. trailer 3 man in the Juarez cartel.

Zaxby's Payroll Schedule 2021, Is Jackie Venson Married, Articles H