Before you even consider this path, let me give you the best advice I can…
TALK
TO
AN
ATTORNEY
!
also:
DON’T
TALK
TO
POLICE
!
Unless legally required to. <---- the part to many forget
You are never legally required to talk to police. Only a judge can compel you to give a witness statement.
and all this is covered by comment #1 - “talk to an attorney, first and foremost”.
You’re generally required to provide identification if you’re arrested and in some US states police can compel you to identify yourself under certain other circumstances, but otherwise yes, in the US you are never required to talk to police beyond this.
I was told by a cop
They won’t take anybody on as a CI, you have to be in a situation where you can provide useful information on a regular basis.
So if you are in a gang or affiliated with gang members, you would have value as a CI. If you are just some jackass that drives like a jackass and have no regular contact with organized criminals, you are worthless as a CI.
…Where you are currently stationed? What, military?
Regardless, if I were you, in Chicago, I’d take the reckless driving charge over being a CI.
It depends on your moral stance about working with the cops in this fashion. In many circles, becoming a CI will get you immediately ostracized and could lead to being physically assaulted. Alternatively you could tell the judge about your financial situation and hopefully work it off via community service. Also, fines can often be reduced by providing documentation demonstrating your income meets specific conditions. But to each their own, I mean based on your citation, what CI work would they have you do? I’ve only ever heard about CI’s in the drug world.
