Category: Law Enforcement · Statute: F.S. 914.28 · Source: Florida Legislature
Understanding Confidential Informant (CI) in Florida
In Florida, a Confidential Informant (CI) is an individual who cooperates with law enforcement agencies to provide inside information or assist in active criminal investigations. Governed strictly by Rachel’s Law under Florida Statute Section 914.28, the use of CIs is highly regulated to protect both the informant and the integrity of the justice system. CIs often operate in the shadows of drug transactions, organized crime, or weapons trafficking, frequently wearing recording devices or participating in controlled buys to help detectives secure search warrants or make arrests.
The relationship between a CI and law enforcement is typically transactional. Many informants are recruited after their own arrest, choosing to cooperate in exchange for a prosecutor's promise of leniency, reduced charges, or a complete dismissal of their pending case. Others operate as paid informants, receiving financial compensation for actionable intelligence. Because of the inherent reliability issues surrounding individuals facing criminal charges, Florida law requires law enforcement agencies to establish strict policies regarding the recruitment, training, and monitoring of these informants.
How Confidential Informants Impact Bail and Pretrial Release
When an arrest is initiated based on a confidential informant's tip or controlled buy, it can significantly complicate the defendant's pretrial release. Because CI involvement often points to ongoing, organized criminal activity—such as drug trafficking—prosecutors frequently argue that the defendant poses a heightened danger to the community or is a flight risk. This can lead to a judge setting a substantially higher bail amount or imposing strict non-monetary pretrial conditions, such as GPS monitoring or a total ban on contacting any co-defendants or suspected informants.