What is a proffer agreement?

A proffer agreement is a legal agreement between a criminal defendant and prosecutors. It allows the defendant to provide information to the prosecutors about the crimes they committed and any other information they may have regarding other individuals involved in criminal activities. In exchange for this information, prosecutors may agree to offer immunity to the defendant or to reduce their charges or sentencing.

Proffer agreements are often used in white-collar crime cases, such as those involving fraud or insider trading, where prosecutors may not have enough evidence to bring charges against all participants. They may also be used in cases involving organized crime or drug trafficking.

The information provided by the defendant in a proffer agreement must be truthful and complete. If the defendant provides false information, the agreement may be voided, and they may face additional charges. Proffer agreements are typically kept confidential and may not be disclosed to other parties or used as evidence in court.

Overall, proffer agreements can be a useful tool for prosecutors to gain valuable information in criminal cases, and for defendants to potentially reduce their charges or sentencing.