Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Dr. Gregory Campbell

Abstract

Most federal white-collar cases involve the use of confidential informants (CIs) to obtain convictions. However, there was a gap in research regarding the examination of CI efficacy safeguards and whether combinations of safeguards produce desired effects from the perspectives of private practice attorneys with defense and prosecutor experience. The purpose of this historical research qualitative study was to explore the literature related to whether federal CI policies of safeguards influenced the national use of CIs to obtain convictions in federal white-collar cases based on the perspectives of private practice attorneys with defense and prosecutorial experience as gathered through participant interviews. The theoretical framework included the routine activity theory and convenience theory. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 participants. Three themes emerged from coding analysis: power, illegal activities, and convictions. Results indicated the lack of CI safeguard policy specific to CI written registration adherence by federal agents severely impacted federal white-collar cases using CIs to secure convictions. Participants confirmed that the lack of the CI safeguard policy specific to recordkeeping knowledge impacted the integrity of convictions secured. All participants considered CIs vital to white-collar case convictions. Recommendations include attorneys using conviction integrity for all white-collar case convictions. Findings may encourage federal law enforcement agents to recognize the validity and accountability of federal policy safeguards regarding the information CIs provide in federal white-collar cases leading to positive social change.

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