When may the identity of an informant be disclosed?

When may the identity of an informant be disclosed?

• A. The informant was a participant in or a witness to a crime
• B. The informant's identity is never disclosed
• C. The informant's identity must be disclosed only with a court order
• D. The informant's identity is irrelevant

Answer: (A)

The point to understand is that informant protection isn’t absolute. The one clear exception where disclosure may occur is when the informant is directly involved in the crime or is a firsthand witness to it. In that situation, the need to prosecute and establish the facts takes precedence, so revealing the informant’s identity can be necessary for the investigation and for ensuring credible testimony.

If the informant was only an anonymous tipster or not connected to the crime, confidentiality is typically preserved, which is why the other options don’t fit as the general rule. The idea that disclosure requires a court order is also not the defining condition in this context; the critical trigger is involvement in the crime or being a direct witness.