Art. 514.  Identity of informer

A.  General rule of privilege.  The United States, a state, or subdivision thereof has a privilege to refuse to disclose, and to protect another from required disclosure of, the identity of a person who has furnished information in order to assist in an investigation of a possible violation of a criminal law.

B.  Who may claim the privilege.  The privilege may be claimed by the prosecuting authority or an appropriate representative of the public entity to which the information was furnished.

C.  Inapplicability of privilege.  No privilege shall be recognized if:

(1)  The informer appears as a witness for the government and testifies with respect to matters previously disclosed in confidence.

(2)  The identity of the informer has been disclosed to those who have cause to resent the communication by either the informer or the prosecution, or in a civil case, a person with authority to claim the privilege.

(3)  The party seeking to overcome the privilege clearly demonstrates that the interest of the government in preventing disclosure is substantially outweighed by exceptional circumstances such that the informer's testimony is essential to the preparation of the defense or to a fair determination on the issue of guilt or innocence.

(4)  In a criminal case, the prosecution objects.

D.  Order to disclose identity.  If the court orders disclosure of the identity of an informer and the prosecution opposes the disclosure, the court:

(1)  In a criminal case, shall enter one of the following orders exclusively:

(a)  An order suppressing the evidence concerning which the identity of the informer has been ordered.

(b)  An order declaring a mistrial.

(2)  In a civil case, may make any order justice requires.

Added by Acts 1995, No. 1040, §1.