If I was arrested but not charged, what are my obligations?
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If I was arrested but not charged, what are my obligations?
I was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. I was told that they would not file the charges if I agreed to help the police as a Confidential Informant. Now that the incident has passed and the charges have not been filed, am i still obligated to help the police? They said if I didn’t show up that they would get warrants for my arrest and bring me in.
Asked on July 30, 2012 under Criminal Law, Illinois
Answers:
Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The police are holding these charges over your head, and you have to decide for yourself what you are most comfortable with in terms of helping the police with information. Basically you will be exchanging criminal charges for information (snitching out others). This can be dangerous and a personal safety issue if you are found out to be ratting to the police. With that said, drug paraphernalia and marijuana possession are misdemeanor charges that can cause damage to your criminal record if convicted in court. If you fail to help the police, they have every right to turn over you arrest information to the local prosecutor to obtain a criminal warrant, so again, this is a personal decision that you have to make in terms of your level of comfort in helping the police.
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