Blog
How Immunity Works In Federal Criminal Cases
Immunity is a powerful tool that gives federal prosecutors leverage that can help them win big cases. When a person has information about a crime, they may feel compelled to keep quiet. Sometimes, they are under threat from an outside party, but often, they are simply afraid of prosecution for their own involvement in the crime.
If a person is suspected to have knowledge of a crime, or they are suspected to have been involved somehow, the federal courts may choose to offer them a form of immunity in exchange for providing the court with their information.
A variety of situations can lead the government to offer immunity:
- The person was directly involved in a crime, but they have information that could potentially bring down a criminal that the authorities feel is more dangerous to society.
- The person was a witness to a crime and needs immunity to avoid prosecution for withholding evidence or other charges that could result from their indirect involvement.
- The person has already been charged for their involvement in the crime, and rather than full immunity, they are offered a reduced sentence in exchange for a statement.
Contents
What Are the Different Types of Immunity in Federal Court?
Not every type of immunity offers blanket safety for the person in question. Some guarantee more safety than others.
Proffer Letter Immunity
This type of letter gives a person under investigation “queen for a day” status, allowing them to tell the federal government what they know about a crime without the threat of having their words used against them in court.
This type of immunity isn’t as bulletproof as it sounds. If you’re given proffer immunity by a federal court, your words won’t be used against you in the literal sense. They can be used to inspire investigators to go on the hunt for more evidence to stack against you.
There is another exception to profit letter immunity as well. If the witness changes their story in court, it can count as separate evidence of wrongdoing.
Letter Immunity
In a federal case, letter immunity is negotiated between the government and the suspect’s lawyer. This is the type of immunity one can really trust in. A solid agreement of letter immunity guarantees that the person’s statement won’t be used against them in any way, including as inspiration to look for further evidence. This type of immunity is offered when a suspect or witness has information so valuable it’s considered worth allowing their possible involvements in the crimes to slide.
While one can technically still get prosecuted in a case with letter immunity, it would be very rare. The government would need overwhelming evidence from a completely different source, and they would need to be able to prove that they didn’t find this source or obtain this information due to their knowledge of the witness statement. This usually isn’t easy to do.
There are exceptions. For example, if a witness had information about a high-level criminal, and they got this information through assisting with a crime, their role in the matter would be set aside. However, if a video was later released by another party, and it clearly showed the witness participating in the crime, prosecution could still occur.
Statutory Immunity
The Fifth Amendment gives citizens the right to refuse to incriminate themselves. However, in the grand jury, things can be a bit different. In federal court, a judge sometimes chooses to force an individual to give a witness statement.
According to 18 U.S.C. § 6002, when a witness with immunity refuses to testify, they can be held in contempt. In exchange for this “taking away” of their right to silence, it is simply transferred into immunity. The witness testifies, and their words will not be used against them.
If you’re involved in a criminal case and considering an offer of immunity, it’s important to avoid moving forward without the advice of a qualified lawyer. Taking an offer of immunity can be highly beneficial or very detrimental depending on your situation. Only an experienced lawyer will be able to determine whether taking an offer of immunity is in your best interest.
Immunity Overview
Immunity is a legally-binding agreement in which an individual directly participating in some type of offense or who possess information about said behavior. In exchange, the testifier is given some formal guarantee that they will receive less stiffer or, in some cases, no punishment at all for their involvement in said acts.
The Benefits Of Offering Immunity
Opponents of such arrangements opine that immunity often offers criminals a proverbial get out of jail free card. However, proponents maintain that said agreements lead to the uncovering or major crimes and the apprehension of their alleged perpetrators.
Moreover, individuals given the chance to avoid stiff punishments like federal prison time typically far more willing to cooperate with federal prosecutors than those not offered such incentives.
The Three Types Of Immunity In Federal Cases
There are three types of immunity commonly handed out in federal criminal cases, proffer letter immunity, letter immunity, and statutory immunity.
Proffer Letter Immunity
Proffer letter arrangements are documented pacts between the recipient and the federal government offering said individual the opportunity to disclose their knowledge about a specific case or incident without being subject to prosecution.
Legal scholars maintain that this is the weakest immunity contract one can be presented for certain notable reasons.
First, prosecutors can use any testimony the recipient offered to gather additional evidence against them. Moreover, if the proffer letter beneficiary contradicts evidence given during the initial proceedings, said subject could be subject to legal punishments.
Letter Immunity
This form of exoneration is a written deal negotiated between the government and the recipient that prohibits federal authorities from turning any information they provide against them or using this evidence to collect further proof of wrongdoing. Letter immunity is considered stronger protection than the Proffer differentiation.
Statutory Immunity
Occasionally, a federal judge might rule that an immunity candidate’s testimony is particularly important and mandate the witness offer said testimony in a legal proceeding.
However this specific court order stands in direct violation of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution protecting people from self incrimination. When such circumstances arise, testimony presented cannot be used against the disclosing individual in any way.
Formulating Immunity Agreements
In some cases, a witness might request immunity in exchange for vital information. At other times, prosecutors or other adjudicating establishments might offer an individual bearing valuable testimony an immunity deal.
Several factors often play into a prosecutor’s decision to either offer immunity. Said legal professionals will usually weigh the value of the testimony the witness can provide, the severity of the witness’s involvement in he criminal act in question, and the testifier’s perceived credibility.
Typically, the agreement is made in a formal written document listing the agreed terms and other pertinent stipulations and is formally endorsed by a high ranking government official. When a draft is authored, said document is presented to the intended recipient and they are given a certain amount of time to accept the offer.
Important Considerations
Some may view an immunity offer as a simple open and shut case. However, those offered said agreements often must consider other significant issues, like betraying friends and associates, admitting their role in a major crime and the potentially negative consequences said admonition could have, and the fear of retribution from those the testifier’s admissions incriminate.
The Importance Of A Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
The immunity process is not as simple as it is portrayed on television shows. Those given the decision to accept immunity deals often must consider numerous important issues and attempt to negotiate an arrangement most befitting of their needs. This process should not be undertaken without the assistance of an experienced federal criminal attorney.