What is the legal test for disclosing the name of an informant in a criminal case?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from The People v. Turner, B214725, No. YA071281 (Cal. App. 2010):
If an informant is a material witness in a criminal case, the prosecution must disclose his or her name or suffer dismissal of the charges against the defendant. (People v. Lawley (2002) 27 Cal.4th 102, 159.) "An informant is a material witness if there appears, from the evidence presented, a reasonable possibility that he or she could give evidence on the issue of guilt that might exonerate the defendant." (Ibid.) It is defendant's burden to adduce "'"'some evidence'"' on this score." (Ibid.) Appellant did not meet this standard.
"The most advanced legal research software ever built."
The above passage should not be considered legal advice. Reliable answers to complex legal questions require comprehensive research memos. To learn more visit www.alexi.com.
