An approver is an accomplice who confesses and testifies for the prosecution in exchange for a pardon. They can provide valuable insight into a crime and should consult a lawyer before coming forward.
An approver is someone who is involved in a crime, but who confesses and offers to serve as a witness for the prosecution. In exchange for the confession and testimony, the approver receives a pardon for his role in the crime. Allowing people to confess in exchange for concessions such as pardons encourages people with information about crimes they have been involved in to come forward, making it easier for law enforcement investigations and increasing the likelihood that a case can be successfully prosecuted and brought complete.
Technically, an approver is an accomplice. She or he did not commit the crime, but was involved in the planning, execution or cover-up of the crime. The accomplice may have known that the crime was about to occur and not have taken any steps to prevent it, or may have engaged in other activities designed to make the crime easier to commit or less likely to be discovered. This gives the approver a rather unique insight into the crime, as he was directly involved.
An approver can apply to the police with information at any time during a criminal investigation. In court systems where people who confess aren’t automatically granted clemency for accusing other people involved in the crime, however, it’s usually helpful to come forward as soon as possible. Providing information early in the investigation makes the process easier for investigators, improves the chances of gathering material evidence that might otherwise be destroyed, and suggests to the court that the approver has tried genuine contrition for the crime.
After the approver provides information and is deemed valuable, an agreement will be made where the approver testifies in court about the crime and is granted a pardon in return. This means that the approver cannot be prosecuted for involvement in the crime. In some regions, this is controversial, as victims of a crime or their survivors may argue that the accomplice should also be punished.
Someone who wants to come forward about a crime should consult a lawyer. The attorney can help negotiate a surrender agreement with law enforcement and can provide advice and information that can be used to reach a favorable settlement. Criminal lawyers with experience in these types of matters are usually the best choice for representation for someone who intends to confess and name accomplices in an attempt to obtain a pardon or reduced sentence.
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