Turn state's evidence

To turn state's evidence is for an accused or convicted criminal to testify as a witness for the state against his associates or accomplices.^[1] Turning state's evidence is occasionally a result of a change of heart or feelings of guilt, but more often is done in response to a generous offer from the prosecution, such as a reduced sentence or a favorable location for serving time. In particularly high-profile or dangerous cases such as organized crime trials including other federal crimes trials, the witness may be offered immunity from prosecution even if they've committed serious crimes themself, up to and including murder. The state may also offer the witness a place in the witness protection program, giving them a new identity so they need not fear retaliation from their former accomplices.

In the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms, the term is to turn Queen's or King's evidence, depending on the reigning monarch's gender.

In India (and historically in the British Isles) the term turning approver is used for someone giving full disclosure about a crime in return for pardon under Sections 306 to 308 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, though the term is not used in the Code itself.

Famous cases

See also

• Plea bargain
• Informant
• Pentito, the equivalent term in Italy in the Mafia and terrorism contexts
• Caporegime, the equivalent term in the Mafia for Captain.

References