Fight ‘Em ‘Til We Can’t

From Prosecutor Post-Script we learn that:

1. In NYC, cops accused of wrongdoing get a 24-hour locked down “cooling off” period during which no one is allowed to speak to them. Apparently the purpose is to protect those poor “defendants” from saying things they’re going to regret in the heat of the moment and maybe having those things used against them in a future disciplinary or criminal action. So, um, great. Excellent idea? When do our clients start getting that same protection?
2. Who’s A Rat claims to be the “largest online database of [federal] informants and agents.” Apparently, for a small fee you can browse through the database and find out who might be ratting you out or building a case against you:
   

   Who’s A Rat is a database driven website designed to assist attorneys and criminal defendants with few resources. The purpose of this website is for individuals and attorneys to post,share and request any and all information that has been made public at some point to at least 1 person of the public prior to posting it on this site pertaining to local,state and federal Informants and Law Enforcement Officers. This includes an Informant who makes his or her Informant status known to any person.

   Interesting. More from the NYT. Of course, prosecutors think this is a very bad idea.