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Florida bill would give informants legal counsel

As Texas considers bills to corroborate and ensure reliability of jailhouse informant testimony, I was interested to see that bipartisan legislation moving in Florida takes a different tack on regulating confidential informants. Reports AP: The proposed bill would create strict standards on the use of confidential informants and give them the right to talk to an attorney before agreeing to help police. It would not allow people in drug treatment programs to be used in undercover drug operations. Plus, the plan would prevent a nonviolent offender from being involved in any undercover operation involving weapons or suspects with violent criminal records. The actual Florida legislation - HB 271/SB 604 - is sponsored by Republicans in both chambers but has bipartisan support...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on March 18, 2009 (boomark / email).