Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/353/53/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 16:21:22+00:00

Document:
Held: In the circumstances of this case, failure of the court to require disclosure of the identity of the informer was reversible error. Pp. 353 U. S. 54-66.
(a) Where disclosure of an informer's identity, or of the contents of his communication, is relevant and helpful to the defense of an accused, or is essential to a fair trial, the Government's privilege to withhold disclosure of the informer's identity must give way. Pp. 353 U. S. 60-62.
(b) However, no fixed rule is justifiable. The public interest in protecting the flow of information to the Government must be balanced against the individual's right to prepare his defense. Whether nondisclosure is erroneous depends on the particular circumstances of each case, taking into consideration the crime charged, the possible defenses, the possible significance of the informer's testimony, and other relevant factors. P. 353 U. S. 62.
(c) In this case, the informer was not expressly mentioned in the relevant charge of the indictment; but the charge, viewed in connection with the evidence introduced at his trial, is so closely related to the informer as to make his identity and testimony highly material. Pp. 353 U. S. 62-63.
(d) The provision of the statute authorizing a conviction when the Government has proved that the accused possessed narcotics -- unless he explains or justifies such possession -- emphasizes petitioner's vital need for access to any material witness. P. 353 U. S. 63.
(e) The circumstances of this case demonstrate that the informer's possible testimony was highly relevant, and might have been helpful to the defense. Pp. 353 U. S. 63-65.
found guilty on both counts, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a fine of $5 on each count, the sentences to run concurrently. [Footnote 2] The Court of Appeals sustained the conviction, holding that the concurrent sentence was supported by the conviction on Count 2, and that the trial court had not abused its discretion in denying petitioner's requests for disclosure of Doe's identity. 229 F.2d 812. We granted certiorari, 351 U.S. 936, in order to pass upon the propriety of the nondisclosure of the informer's identity and to consider an alleged conflict with Portomene v. United States, 221 F.2d 582; United States v. Conforti, 200 F.2d 365; and Sorrentino v. United States, 163 F.2d 627.
A field test of the powder having indicated that it contained an opium derivative, the officers, at about 12:30 a.m., arrested petitioner at his home and took him, along with Doe, to Chicago police headquarters. There, petitioner was confronted with Doe, who denied that he knew or had ever seen petitioner. [Footnote 4] Subsequent chemical analysis revealed that the powder contained heroin.
on Count 2, charging illegal transportation of narcotics. [Footnote 6] It argues that the conviction on Count 2 may properly be upheld, since the identity of the informer, in the circumstances of this case, had no real bearing on that charge, and is therefore privileged.
What is usually referred to as the informer's privilege is in reality the Government's privilege to withhold from disclosure the identity of persons who furnish information of violations of law to officers charged with enforcement of that law. Scher v. United States, 305 U. S. 251, 305 U. S. 254; In re Quarles and Butler, 158 U. S. 532; Vogel v. Gruaz, 110 U. S. 311, 110 U. S. 316. The purpose of the privilege is the furtherance and protection of the public interest in effective law enforcement. The privilege recognizes the obligation of citizens to communicate their knowledge of the commission of crimes to law enforcement officials and, by preserving their anonymity, encourages them to perform that obligation.
It is true that the last sentence of subdivision (c) of § 2 authorizes a conviction when the Government has proved that the accused possessed narcotics, unless the accused explains or justifies such possession. [Footnote 13] But this statutory presumption does not reduce the offense to one of mere possession, or shift the burden of proof; it merely places on the accused, at a certain point, the burden of going forward with his defense. [Footnote 14] The fact that petitioner here was faced with the burden of explaining or justifying his alleged possession of the heroin emphasizes his vital need for access to any material witness. Otherwise, the burden of going forward might become unduly heavy.
Since the concurrent sentence did not exceed that which lawfully might be imposed under a single count, the judgment may be affirmed if the conviction on either count is valid. Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U. S. 640, 328 U. S. 641-642, n. 1; Hirabayashi v. United States, 320 U. S. 81, 320 U. S. 85; Abrams v. United States, 250 U. S. 616, 250 U. S. 619; Claassen v. United States, 142 U. S. 140, 142 U. S. 146-147.
Foltz v. Moore McCormack Lines, 189 F.2d 537, 539-540; VIII Wigmore, Evidence (3d ed. 1940), § 2374(1); A.L.I., Model Code of Evidence (1942), Rule 230. But cf. In re Quarles and Butler, 158 U. S. 532; Vogel v. Gruaz, 110 U. S. 311, 110 U. S. 316.
Sorrentino v. United States, 163 F.2d 627, 629; Pihl v. Morris, 319 Mass. 577, 578-580, 66 N.E.2d 804, 805-806; Commonwealth v. Congdon, 265 Mass. 166, 174-175, 165 N.E. 467, 470; Regina v. Candy, cited 15 M. & W. 175; VIII Wigmore, Evidence (3d ed. 1940), § 2374(2).
Casey v. United States, 276 U. S. 413, 276 U. S. 418; United States v. Chiarelli, 192 F.2d 528, 531; Stoppelli v. United States, 183 F.2d 391; Landsborough v. United States, 168 F.2d 486.
"A. Yes, sir; at first he did. [Footnote 2/1]"

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