If a confidential informant played a role in your arrest, the evidence against you may not be as straightforward as it seems. Informants are frequently used by agencies like the Phoenix Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety during drug investigations, controlled buys, and search warrant requests.
But what many people don’t realize is that informants are often deeply involved in the case itself and usually have personal reasons for cooperating with law enforcement.
These cases are rarely built on neutral information. They are often built on deals.
Why Informant Testimony Is Often Unreliable
In our experience, confidential informants are commonly working to help themselves. They may be trying to avoid jail, reduce pending charges, or receive financial compensation. That creates a powerful incentive to say what investigators want to hear.
As former prosecutors, we know how these agreements are made, how informants are managed, and how their information is presented in reports and warrant requests. We also know where those reports tend to leave out important context that can matter to your defense.
Can the Court Force Disclosure of the Informant?
Sometimes, yes. While the government works hard to protect an informant’s identity, courts recognize that your right to a fair trial can outweigh that protection. This principle comes from Roviaro v. United States, which allows disclosure when the informant is a key participant or witness in the alleged crime.
When that happens, the informant’s background, criminal history, and any deal they received can become critical to your case.
What If a Search Warrant Was Based on the Informant’s Information?
Many search warrants in Arizona are approved based largely on statements from a confidential informant. If that information was exaggerated, misleading, or incomplete, the warrant itself may be challenged under Franks v. Delaware. If successful, evidence obtained from that search may be suppressed.
When Informant Activity Becomes Entrapment
There are situations where an informant does more than observe. They may push, pressure, or persuade someone into committing an act they otherwise would not have done.
Under Arizona law, this can raise an entrapment defense, but it requires a careful review of recordings, messages, and the sequence of events.
These Cases Are More Complex Than Police Reports Suggest
Police reports often summarize an informant’s role in a few sentences. What they don’t show are the side agreements, the benefits promised, the instructions given to the informant, or how many times the informant has worked with law enforcement before. Those details can dramatically affect how strong the case really is.
How Suzuki Law Offices Handles Informant-Based Cases
At Suzuki Law Offices, our attorneys previously worked cases from the government’s side. We have firsthand experience working with confidential informants, reviewing their statements, and relying on their information to build cases.
That perspective allows us to quickly identify weaknesses, request the right disclosures, and challenge how the investigation was conducted.
We don’t look at these cases at face value. We look at how they were built.
Speak With a Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyer Early
If you believe a confidential informant was involved in your case, early legal review by a Phoenix criminal defense attorney is critical.
There may be issues with credibility, disclosure, warrants, or entrapment that are not obvious at first glance. Suzuki Law Offices offers free consultations to help you understand your situation and protect your rights from the start.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form