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Rachel's Law Passes in Florida, Stengthens Protections for Informants

By Jeralyn, Section Legislation
Posted on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 05:02:26 PM EST
Tags: confidential informants (all tags)
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Rachel's Law, named after a murdered police informant, goes into effect in Florida on Wednesday.

The new law will require police departments to train officers who recruit confidential informants, tell informants they can't promise a reduced sentences in exchange for their work and allow informants to consult with a lawyer if they ask.

....The bill "makes it more safe for people to be able to cooperate with law enforcement officials across our state," [Gov. Charlie] Crist said.

Will it make their testimony any more reliable? I doubt it.

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    Rachel's Law Passes in Florida, Stengthens Protections for Informants | 5 comments (5 topical)

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    Can't promise a reduced sentence? (none / 0) (#1)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 05:07:25 PM EST
    Wouldn't that just reduce the number of informants?

    Can't "Promise" (none / 0) (#2)
    by squeaky on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 05:17:38 PM EST
    Is much different than just can't promise.

     Big difference, to someone in the frying pan..

    Parent

    Legally they can't promise anyway (none / 0) (#3)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 06:39:25 PM EST
    only the prosecutor can "promise" a reduced sentence. Cops can only make recommendations to the prosecutor. The cops can promise not to file their case in the first instance with the DA, and I don't know whether the law restricts that as I haven't had time to read it yet. But, I will take a look, tomorrow if not today.

    Parent
    I figured as much (none / 0) (#4)
    by andgarden on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 06:51:00 PM EST
    The real change would be to prohibit the prosecutor from making such a deal. But I'm pretty sure I wouldn't support that kind of change.

    Parent
    just wondering (none / 0) (#6)
    by diogenes on Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 10:09:45 PM EST
    How many of you whose clients were snitched against really had clients who were innocent of the crime, and if they were innocent of the given crime, how many committed a number of number of other crimes for which they were never arrested or charged?  
    In drug crimes, people on the streets pretty much know who the dealers are; I doubt that snitches often target Sunday School teachers (and police would not much value snitches who didn't target known perps).

    Rachel's Law Passes in Florida, Stengthens Protections for Informants | 5 comments (5 topical)

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