Opinion ID: 331272
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: informer's privilege

Text: 8 The appropriate starting point for any discussion of the scope of the so-called informer's privilege is Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. 53, 77 S.Ct. 623, 1 L.Ed.2d 639 (1957). In that case, the Court ordered disclosure of the identity of an informant who was an active participant in an illegal drug transaction. The test outlined in Roviaro remains the guide for our decision today: 9 We believe that no fixed rule with respect to disclosure is justifiable. The problem is one that calls for balancing the public interest in protecting the flow of information against the individual's right to prepare his defense. Whether a proper balance renders nondisclosure erroneous must depend on the particular circumstances of each case, taking into consideration the crime charged, the possible defenses, the possible significance of the informer's factors. Id. at 62, 77 S.Ct. at 628--29. factors. Id. at 62, 77 S.Ct. at 628-29. 10 In several subsequent cases, this court has applied the balancing test of Roviaro to determine whether disclosure of the identity of an informer-participant was necessary to a fair determination of the issue of an accused's guilt or innocence. See, e.g., United States v. Davis, 487 F.2d 1249 (5th Cir. 1973); Gilmore v. United States, 256 F.2d 565 (5th Cir. 1958). The inquiry centers on the likelihood that the informant possesses facts which are relevant and helpful to the accused in preparing his defense on the merits. To comply with Roviaro, a case-by-case balancing of the conflicting interests is required. 11 When the informant plays no part in the prohibited transaction but merely supplies information which leads to probable cause for an arrest or search, the proper balance is more easily struck. We have held that where the evidence shows that an informer is a mere tipster, no disclosure of his identity is required. United States v. Clark, 482 F.2d 103 (5th Cir. 1973); United States v. Acosta, 411 F.2d 627 (5th Cir. 1969); Miller v. United States, 273 F.2d 279 (5th Cir. 1959), cert. denied, 362 U.S. 928, 80 S.Ct. 756, 4 L.Ed.2d 747 (1960). This accommodation is consistent with the United States Supreme Court's decision in McCray v. Illinois, 386 U.S. 300, 87 S.Ct. 1056, 18 L.Ed.2d 62 (1967) which upheld the constitutionality of Illinois' informer's privilege as applied to preliminary hearings to determine probable cause. McCray's discussion of the rule in federal criminal cases indicates that disclosure would be a rarity in the ordinary tipster case: 12 In sum, the Court in the exercise of its power to formulate evidentiary rules for federal criminal cases has consistently declined to hold that an informer's identity need always be disclosed in a federal criminal trial, let alone a preliminary hearing to determine probable cause . . .. (Emphasis added.) Id. at 312, 87 S.Ct. at 1063. 13 Nevertheless, McCray does not operate as a bar to ordering disclosure in all probable cause cases. See United States v. Anderson, 509 F.2d 724, 729 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 910, 95 S.Ct. 831, 42 L.Ed.2d 840 (1975). In a proper case, the trial court may wish to examine the informant to assess his credibility or accuracy. Id. 14 The case at bar is unique in that although disclosure would only be relevant to a finding of probable cause, this is certainly not the ordinary tipster situation. The informant whose identity is sought to be disclosed provided no information which led to Freund's arrest, nor did he participate in the offense charged. He may most properly be characterized as an observer or material witness who could shed light on the events immediately preceding the search of appellant's vehicle. The government, however, still has an interest in protecting its agent's anonymity. Like the ordinary tipster, if this informant's identity is publicized, his usefulness to the government in future narcotics cases may be at an end and he could be exposed to harm from persons seeking revenge for past actions. 15 To properly balance the interests in this case, it is necessary to know the substance of the information possessed by the informant-witness. If his recital of events is substantially similar to Regala's, disclosure would not be necessary. On the other hand, if his testimony would lend credence to Freund's theory that the stop was merely routine, appellant's request for disclosure should be granted. 16 An in camera hearing is the appropriate procedural vehicle for accomplishing the accommodation of conflicting interests in this case. A limited disclosure of identity and information to the trial judge recognizes the government's interest in maintaining anonymity while at the same time insuring the appellant's interest in developing the testimony of every witness who possesses facts which could control his claim of an illegal search and seizure. In Alderman v. United States, 394 U.S. 165, 89 S.Ct. 961, 22 L.Ed.2d 176 (1969), the United States Supreme Court indicated that the in camera procedure was an acceptable device to aid the trial court in its application of the Roviaro test. 4 Similarly, this court found no error in a trial court's decision to conduct an in camera interview with informants who provided some of the probable cause for wire tap orders and search warrants in the case of United States v. Howell, 514 F.2d 710, 715 (5th Cir. 1975). Other circuits have approved the procedure in cases involving informants who possessed information relevant to the accused's guilt or innocence, 5 as well as instances where the informant's testimony pertained solely to the existence of probable cause. 6 Certainly there will be cases in which an in camera hearing is either unnecessary or insufficient to protect the defendant's rights. In the case at bar, however, the procedure is appropriate and required. 17 The cause is remanded to the district court with directions to conduct an in camera interview with the informant and to supplement the record of this case with an order which applies the balancing test of Roviaro. 7 18 Remanded with directions.