The team at Weinstein Legal is here to share information regarding how to beat a drug trafficking charge in the state of Florida. This video explains the risks and benefits of working as a police confidential informant. Uses their relationship with the FBI to have local, state, and Federal charges dismissed. 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. Our son was distraught and frightened and Matt was very reassuring and supportive. Being a CI is a very dangerous, risky endeavor. Here are five common factors courts will consider in judging the credibility of a confidential informant: This factor is formally called "veracity," and is used by courts to determine if a CI has a reputation for telling the truth. The police can use information gained from the CI about you that the Government can use when prosecuting your case. Criminal Defense Attorney in Philadelphia. A conviction can have far-reaching negative impacts on your life and you stand to lose quite a few freedoms. he says. It is not uncommon in drug cases for prosecutors to use evidence from a controlled buy to support the charges. abstract. 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. Ashok Dhamija there are basically two types of police investigation, reactive and proactive. Being a convicted felon means that the criminal offense will always show up on a background check and you may find it difficult to find housing or employment in the future. Learn more The CI is assigned a CI number and agrees to provide information about your case to the police. Can a REDDI Report Be the Legal Basis for a Traffic Stop? 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. Law enforcement monitors the controlled buy through audio and/or video surveillance, which is usually recorded. The more specific and detailed, the more likely a court is to accept a CI's information. The required areas are criminal justice, law enforcement, police science, etc. A Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer at our firm will work tirelessly to protect your rights and your freedom the way we have for other clients. Confidential informants arent the same as anonymous sources or tipsters. In this hour of need and when this medical pro Mat was such a relief to our family! In most cases involving a confidential informant they, by necessity, use people that have a horrible criminal history. In hindsight, Bencomo says, the pot in the pickup should have been a warning sign. The government does not have the resources or time to do this. hide caption. It can also be risky for the prosecution if they must give the CIs identity to the defense later. When a snitch provides incriminating evidence that leads to arrest, the government must now disclose non-identifying information about the source of the police officer's information. Even repeat offenders have the chance to beat their charges and avoid a conviction with the right legal help. 913, though most called him by the nickname Lalo. Appended material on confidential funds, a roles and responsibilities matrix, a confidential informant written directive, and an informant working agreement. CIs are regular folks that provide law enforcement with confidential, possibly damning, information against you. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. If the CI's reports are consistent with other reports by third parties, it will increase a CI's credibility in court. reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and You may feel trapped by serving as a Government informant. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals. Gonzalez says when he tried to question the informant, ICE circled its wagons around Lalo. Magana says she couldn't believe it when she found out that Lalo, the gatekeeper of the death house, was a U.S. government informant. and Raul Loya The identity of the CI can be necessary to a Defendants defense in their criminal case. We contacted our attorney in the state where we live and he recommended Matt to us. Informants nationwide end up beaten, tortured and dead once they're found out. The monograph is organized around the confidential informant's employment: recruitment, selection, orientation, and training; direction and control; interviewing and debriefing; evaluation; and termination. I would recommend Justin without reservation to anyone seeking representation. Possess a dangerous drug for sale. 0000001889 00000 n Lalo wasn't looking to make a deal. Confidential informants ("CIs") often provide law enforcement and prosecutors with valuable evidence that can lead to arrests and even convictions of criminal suspects. But it wasn't just the people of Juarez who were outraged. A. But that is the sobering truth of being a CI. The most common way to become an FBI informant is to be approached by the FBI. Matthew helped us through a long process, we were stuck, held hostage by a system that truly falls short when it comes to patient rights. In general, the Government goes to great lengths to not reveal the identity of snitches. Some of the more common motivational factors encountered by drug enforcement investigators include fear, revenge, money, repentance, and altruism. 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. He is the best !! You must have an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree in the relevant areas. Active listening for police - a skill for conflict avoidance. 0000001540 00000 n That meant Lalo was to go and get the house ready, because someone was going to be brought there and be killed. 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. Jeralyn Elise Merritt (Unclaimed Profile). How Do You Beat a Drug Trafficking Charge in Florida? These guys are El Paso's version of the Keystone Kops," Loya says. The killings in Juarez took place more than six years ago. The amount of a drug for which trafficking charges are applicable varies depending on the substance. He was climbing the ranks of the drug cartel and was becoming a trusted ally to Juarez's third in command. How Much Jail Time for Felony Grand Theft? Possession, use, administration, acquisition, sale, manufacture or transportation of dangerous drugs; classification. Login. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. "In my mind, he was given a license to kill.". 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. 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. To the U.S. government, he was officially informant No. 0000000576 00000 n In the end the police are working for the government and you are left holding the bag. will know how to maneuver in the courtroom and lead a witness to provide information that supports the defenses theory of the case. Additionally, the severity of the penalties associated with each charge worsen as the amount of drugs found in your control increases. Im still baffled how a medical professional (term used loosely) can influence so many, manipulate and down right lie. The most common legal defenses against a drug trafficking charge include proving that you were not the individual in control of the illegal substances, or that you had no knowledge of their presence. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. The statute that outlines drug trafficking laws specifically in the state of Florida is Chapter 893.135. To the U.S. government, he was officially informant No. Then, at trial, the Government calls the . This is the point in time some potential clients reach out to a criminal defense lawyer for advice. Lawyers from our extensive network are ready to answer your question. He got involved after two DEA operatives in Mexico were targeted by the Juarez drug gang that Lalo worked for. All rights reserved.|Disclaimer|Privacy policy. I couldn't believe it," says the DEA's Sandalio Gonzalez. (The capacity for telling lies is called "mendacity," in case you were wondering.) Yes, a felon can be an informant. Often paper trails will be used to support an informant\'s version of events, such as cell phone and travel records. So where are we going to find any help if we can't trust the U.S.? 142 0 obj<>stream The act of sending an e-mail to the Firm or any attorney at the Firm, or submitting a form response or other materials through the website, will not create an attorney-client relationship. Typically, the process requires that the confidential informant be thoroughly searched before going into the controlled buy to ensure they are not already in possession of any drugs. Now, with Lalo on board, agents set their sights on a Juarez kingpin known as the Engineer: Heriberto Santillan Tabares. It has been dubbed the House of Death. North Little Rock, AR Criminal Law Lawyers, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. hide caption. If you receive drug trafficking charges in the state of Florida and the prosecution notes that they had the help of a confidential informant, it is important to know that you may never find out who this person is. 0000000016 00000 n listings on the site are paid attorney advertisements. No, the identity of informants are not public record. A CI reporting that he heard a suspect may commit "a crime sometime" is far less credible than a detailed account of the future crime's elements, those involved, and descriptions of the locations and vehicles involved.

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