Is a criminal informants word enough evidence to charge someone with even if there is no other evidence?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is a criminal informants word enough evidence to charge someone with even if there is no other evidence?
My 4 friends had previously gotten arrested for stealing a gun. One of the guys had snitched but they have no other evidence the victim didn’t even show up to court. The gun they say they stole wasn’t in anyone’s possession.
Asked on March 3, 2016 under Criminal Law, Virginia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Yes, a criminal informant's testimony can be enough to charge someone with a crime, and many crimes are charged based on an informant's testimony. An informant's testimony can even be enough to convict, if he is so credible or believable as to convince a jury "beyond a reasonable doubt" that a crime was committed. There is no legal requirement for different or additional evidence.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.