Question

A police officer stops a car for a traffic violation. The officer conducts a legal search of the vehicle after obtaining consent from the driver. The officer discovered three ounces of cocaine in the car. The driver is given a choice to be charged with felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance or cooperate with the police to identify and arrest the source of the cocaine. What may motivate the driver to become an informant in this case? In other words, identify the category of informant the driver is most likely to fall under?

a. The fearful informant
b. The revengeful informant
c. The paid informant
d. The reluctant informant

Answer 1

The driver is most likely to be a paid informant, as they may choose to cooperate with the police in exchange for a more lenient sentence or other benefits.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, the driver is most likely to fall under the category of the paid informant.

A paid informant is someone who agrees to provide information to law enforcement in exchange for financial compensation or some other form of benefit.

The driver may choose to become an informant because they believe that cooperating with the police and helping to identify and arrest the source of the cocaine will result in a more lenient sentence or other benefits.

By becoming an informant, the driver can potentially avoid a felony charge and receive a reduced sentence or protection from prosecution.

Answer 2

The driver in question is most likely to be a d) reluctant informant, cooperating with the police to avoid harsh legal consequences of felony drug charges.

Step-by-step explanation:

A driver found with three ounces of cocaine might choose to become an informant for the police to potentially receive a reduced sentence or avoid harsher legal consequences.

Given the scenario where the driver is given the option to cooperate after being stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation and found in possession of a controlled substance, the driver falls under the category of reluctant informant. The driver's motivation to cooperate would likely stem from a desire to mitigate their own legal troubles rather than from other motives such as fear, revenge, or financial gain.

Hence, the correct answer is Option D.