Snitching: Criminal Informants and the Erosion of American Justice, Second Edition

Snitching exposes the secretive, inaccurate, and often violent ways that the American criminal system works, revealing how informant deals generate unreliable evidence, allow serious criminals to escape punishment, endanger the innocent, and exacerbate distrust between police and poor communities of color.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

The American criminal system operates in secretive, inaccurate, and often violent ways, as revealed by the cases of Curtis Flowers, Kathryn Johnston, and Rachel Hoffman. These tragedies are a result of snitching, a practice that is largely invisible to the public but plays a significant role in shaping the legal system. Police rely on criminal suspects to obtain warrants, conduct surveillance, and justify arrests. Prosecutors negotiate with defendants for information and cooperation, offering to drop charges or lighten sentences in exchange.

In her book "Snitching," Alexandra Natapoff provides a comprehensive analysis of this powerful and problematic practice. She demonstrates how informant deals generate unreliable evidence, allow serious criminals to escape punishment, endanger the innocent, and exacerbate distrust between police and poor communities of color.

First published over ten years ago, "Snitching" has become known as the "informant bible," a leading text for advocates, attorneys, journalists, and scholars. This influential book has helped free the innocent, fueled reform at the state and federal level, and has been frequently featured in high-profile media coverage of snitching debacles.

This updated edition contains a decade worth of new stories, new data, new legislation and legal developments, much of it generated by the book itself and by Natapoff's own work. In clear, accessible language, the book exposes the social destruction that snitching can cause in heavily-policed Black neighborhoods and how using criminal informants renders our justice system ineffective.

The use of informants in the criminal justice system has been a controversial topic for many years. While some argue that they are necessary to combat crime, others believe that they can be used to target and harm innocent people. One of the main concerns with snitching is that it can lead to unreliable evidence, which can result in the wrong person being convicted of a crime. In many cases, informants may provide false information in order to receive benefits or to avoid punishment themselves. This can have serious consequences for the innocent person, as they may face lengthy prison sentences or even wrongful convictions.

Another concern with snitching is that it can allow serious criminals to escape punishment. In some cases, informants may provide information that helps police identify and apprehend the perpetrator of a crime, but they may also withhold information that could lead to the conviction of other individuals involved in the crime. This can create a sense of impunity among criminals, as they may feel that they can engage in criminal activity without fear of consequences.

Snitching can also endanger the innocent by putting them in harm's way. In some cases, informants may be forced to provide information about their own or their family members' criminal activities in order to avoid harm. This can put them in a dangerous situation, as they may be targeted by criminals or other individuals who are seeking revenge.

Furthermore, snitching can exacerbate distrust between police and poor communities of color. In many cases, these communities have been historically marginalized and mistreated by the criminal justice system. When police rely on informants to gather information, they may be seen as invasive and oppressive, which can further divide these communities and undermine trust in the police.

Despite these concerns, snitching remains a common practice in the criminal justice system. Police rely on informants to obtain information, conduct surveillance, and justify arrests. Prosecutors also negotiate with defendants for information and cooperation in exchange for reduced charges or sentences.

However, there are efforts to address the issues associated with snitching. One approach is to increase the use of technology to gather information, such as surveillance cameras and DNA testing. This can help to reduce the reliance on informants and increase the accuracy of evidence.

Another approach is to improve the training and oversight of police officers and prosecutors. This can help to ensure that they are using informants appropriately and that they are not targeting or harming innocent people.

In conclusion, snitching is a controversial practice that can have serious consequences for the innocent, the criminal justice system, and society as a whole. While it may be necessary to use informants in some cases, it is important to ensure that they are used appropriately and that the risks associated with snitching are minimized. By increasing the use of technology, improving the training and oversight of police and prosecutors, and promoting transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system, we can work towards a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479807703