state's evidence
Cooperating witness information
State's evidence is testimony given by a criminal defendant or accomplice against others involved in a crime, typically in exchange for reduced charges or immunity.
To turn state's evidence is to agree to testify for the prosecution: He turned state's evidence and helped convict the ringleaders.
The term is primarily American; British usage prefers "Queen's evidence" or "King's evidence."
Protected from harm
- plea bargainNegotiated criminal case resolution
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- district attorneyCounty's chief prosecuting officer
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
testimony · witness protection · reduced sentence · criminal proceedings · grand jury · felony charges · cooperation · deal
Give sworn evidence
- witness standPlace for giving testimony
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- corroborateConfirm with supporting evidence
deposition · affidavit · oath · perjury · admissible · incriminating · firsthand account · key witness
Defendant aiding investigators
- snitchOne who tells authorities
- ratRodent or informer
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- insiderOne with confidential access
accomplice · co-defendant · flipper · crown witness · supergrass · informer · source · whistleblower
Violate a trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
backstab · turn on · rat out · flip · break ranks · name names · finger · inform on
immunity
Protected from harm
- plea bargainNegotiated criminal case resolution
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- district attorneyCounty's chief prosecuting officer
indictment · testimony · witness protection · reduced sentence · criminal proceedings · grand jury · felony charges · cooperation · deal · bargaining chip
testify
Give sworn evidence
- witness standPlace for giving testimony
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
corroborate · deposition · affidavit · oath · perjury · admissible · incriminating · firsthand account · key witness · credibility
cooperating witness
Defendant aiding investigators
insider · accomplice · co-defendant · flipper · crown witness · supergrass · informer · source · whistleblower · stool pigeon
betray
Violate a trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
- selloutCompromiser of integrity
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
disloyalty · backstab · turn on · rat out · flip · break ranks · name names · finger · inform on · give up
state's evidenceomertà
Criminal vow of silence
code of silence · stonewalling · taking the fifth · keeping quiet · no comment
state, states, stated, stating, statement, statements, stately, statehood, statesman