CALIFORNIA EVIDENCE: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
...Privileges
......Official Information; Info Held by Govt
.........Informer Identity Priv
8 Cards On This Topic:

Governmental agencies' privilege to refuse to disclose identity of informer.

Effect of governmental agency's relying upon privilege not to disclose informer's identity in criminal proceeding.

If search warrant valid on face, agency need not reveal identity of informant to establish legality of search.

Otherwise admissible evidence of information given to officer admissible on issue of reasonable cause, without revealing identity of informant.

Although magistrate erred in directing sealed portion of search warrant affidavit be retained by police, error did not make it impossible to safeguard D's right to meaningful appellate review.

Disclosure of confidential informant's name not mandatory just b/c s/he is a percipient witness; disclosure occurs if D makes adequate showing at in camera hearing that informant can give exculpatory evidence.

No abuse of discretion in denying motion to disclose identity of confidential police informant [Evid. Code §1041].

Before in camera hearing on official privilege claim, party must explain in court why privilege applies or declare it cannot do so w/out betraying privilege.