Colorado POST Practice Exam

Why do most informants agree to provide information?

1. They feel it's their civic duty

2. They seek financial gain

3. To avoid legal consequences

4. To gain personal recognition

The correct answer is: To avoid legal consequences

Informants often choose to provide information to avoid legal consequences. In many situations, individuals may find themselves involved in illegal activities, whether as direct participants or as witnesses, and they may face potential legal repercussions. By providing information to law enforcement, they often hope to receive leniency in their own legal situations, which can include reduced charges, plea deals, or outright immunity in exchange for their cooperation and testimony. This pragmatic approach to dealing with the law is typically motivated by a desire to mitigate personal risk and navigate legal challenges more favorably. While other motives can indeed play a role in why someone might become an informant—such as civic duty, financial gain, or seeking recognition—the predominant and most compelling reason often centers around the need to protect oneself from legal trouble.