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2 pages/≈550 words
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APA
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Law
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English (U.S.)
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Topic:

Pros and Cons of Confidential Informants

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Based on the reliance on conspiracy statutes to connect leaders of organized crime with activities carried out by their subordinates, the use of confidential informants is often critical to the investigation and prosecution of organized criminal activities; however, the relationship between informants and law enforcement can become quite complicated. Whitey Bulger, the leader of the Winter Hill Gang, was actually a confidential informant for the FBI. FBI agent John Connolly was convicted of second-degree murder and racketeering due to his relationship with Bulger.
Using the Bulger case as an example, discuss, as a team, the pros and cons of the use of confidential informants in the investigation and prosecution of organized crime.
Address the following in your discussion:
The motivations of the informant
The need to protect the informant
The need to control the informant
Any other benefits or problems connected with the use of confidential informants
Compile the team discussion into a TABLE that identifies the pros and cons of the use of confidential informants.

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Confidential Informants
Your Name
Subject and Section
Professor’s Name
June 22, 2021

Pros

Cons

1 Motivations of the Informant

Informant is motivated not to do any ‘substantial’ felony, that is not part of his duty as an informant

The informant might be using his status as a means to evade legal repercussions
i.e., This disadvantage could be seen on how Whitey Bulger has committed t

2 Need to Protect the Informant

Informant is protected thereby increasing the chances of maintaining his loyalty to the agent/authority.

Informant is protected whether he participates (and benefits) from any action in the guise of being a double agent.
i.e., This disadvantage could be seen in the case since Bulger believed that since he is a CI, he would not be liable for any crime that he committed since he has “to maintain his act”.

3 Need to Control the Informant

Informant’s acts are relatively maintained by the agent to ensure that he does not do a felony more than what is needed to maintain his cover.

An informant must be constantly controlled thereby increasing the risks to both his and the agent’s lives. Accordingly, the failure to properly control the informant could make the agent liable through instigation.
i.e., This disadvantage could be seen in how FBI Agent Connolly was also charged with second-degree murder and racketeering for his failure to control his CI Bulger.

4 Informant’s Credibility in the Court of Law

Since the informant is usually a part of the organized crime group that he surveils, he can provide the Court with better evidence regarding the illicit crimes of the group.
i.e., Since Whitey Bulger is the gang leader, he has intimate knowledge of how to run the gang as well as the knowledge of the crimes that they committed individually and as a group.

The prosecutor is tasked with a greater burden to prove the...
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