Confidential Informant List For My City Exclusive May 2026

Under , prosecutors must turn over exculpatory evidence. Under Roviaro v. United States , if an informant is an active participant in the crime (a witness, not just a tipster), the judge can force the state to reveal the CI’s identity.

Most courts have ruled that even the existence of a CI list is exempt from disclosure. In The Detroit Free Press v. City of Detroit (2022), a judge ruled that releasing a roster of active CIs would lead to "an immediate and foreseeable risk of retaliatory homicide." confidential informant list for my city exclusive

The idea is intoxicating. Imagine a document—a spreadsheet, a PDF, a leather-bound ledger—sitting in a police chief’s safe. On it are names, code numbers, and handler badges. The "exclusive" list of who is singing for the sheriff. For defense attorneys, journalists, and the curious public, obtaining that list feels like finding the Holy Grail of local transparency. Under , prosecutors must turn over exculpatory evidence

This is not the "exclusive" instant list you want, but it is the closest legal proxy. You will learn patterns , not names. You will see which detective uses which CI number most often. Do not waste your money on dark web vendors. Do not harass police clerks for a master list. Most courts have ruled that even the existence

And frankly? That is exactly how justice should work. The moment a CI list becomes public is the moment the city’s ability to fight organized crime collapses. The exclusive list isn't a toy. It's a shield. And you aren't getting it. Have you found a public record that accidentally revealed an informant? Contact our legal tips line. For now, stay legal, stay safe, and stay curious.

We spent three months interviewing retired FBI agents, state public record officers, and defense attorneys to uncover the truth about the "exclusive confidential informant list." First, let’s kill a Hollywood trope. Most cities do not keep a single, laminated "Confidential Informant (CI) Master List" taped to the detective bureau fridge.