A confidential informants work for the government, often secretly, to gather and provide information or to testify, sometimes in exchange for cash or leniency in punishment for their own crimes. Courts have clearly recognized that confidential police informers play a vital role in law enforcement. The near absolute privilege attached to the identity of these individuals is premised upon the duty of all citizens to aid in enforcing the law and is meant to protect these individuals against retribution from those involved in crime.
This form is a generic example that may be referred to when preparing such a form for your particular state. It is for illustrative purposes only. Local laws should be consulted to determine any specific requirements for such a form in a particular jurisdiction.
The Massachusetts Agreement of Understanding with Confidential Informant is a legally binding document between law enforcement agencies and individuals who agree to provide information and assistance in criminal investigations as confidential informants. This agreement outlines the roles, responsibilities, and terms of cooperation between the confidential informant (CI) and the law enforcement agency. The agreement is designed to protect the confidentiality, safety, and rights of the informant while ensuring the achievement of the law enforcement agency's objectives. It establishes guidelines for the collection and sharing of information, the use of the informant's personal and expert knowledge, and the payment of compensation or other benefits to the CI. There are various types of Massachusetts Agreements of Understanding with Confidential Informants, which may include: 1. Standard Confidential Informant Agreement: This is the most common type of agreement. It sets out the general terms and conditions for the informant's cooperation, such as the duration of the agreement, the nature of assistance required, and the protection provided to the informant. 2. Drug-Related Informant Agreement: This type of agreement specifically deals with informants involved in drug-related activities. It covers aspects such as controlled substance purchases, controlled substance distribution networks, and information related to drug trafficking. 3. Organized Crime Informant Agreement: This agreement is specifically tailored to informants who have knowledge or involvement in organized criminal activities. It may address areas such as organized crime syndicates, money laundering operations, and illegal gambling networks. 4. Human Trafficking Informant Agreement: Human trafficking cases require specialized agreements to protect the informant and gather valuable intelligence on traffickers. This type of agreement focuses on the identification, investigation, and dismantling of human trafficking networks. These agreements typically contain crucial keywords such as "confidential informant," "cooperation," "law enforcement agency," "information sharing," "compensation," "rights," "safety," "confidentiality," "criminal investigation," "assistance," and "protection."
