Legal Definitions - delator

A delator is a term originating from Roman law that refers to an informer or an accuser.

More specifically, a delator was often someone who made a regular practice of informing on and prosecuting others, particularly for financial or fiscal offenses. While initially encouraged by authorities, the role of a delator later became viewed with suspicion and could even lead to severe penalties for the informer themselves.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a delator:

• Imagine a historical empire where tax collection is paramount. A specific individual gains a reputation for regularly reporting merchants to the imperial treasury for suspected tax evasion or smuggling. This person doesn't just report a single instance; they make it a routine practice, often hoping for a reward or a share of the confiscated goods. This individual would be considered a delator because they habitually inform on others for fiscal offenses.

• Consider a period in history under a highly centralized and authoritarian government. A citizen, perhaps seeking to gain favor with the ruling power or eliminate personal rivals, consistently provides information to the state's security apparatus about neighbors or acquaintances who express dissenting views or engage in activities deemed disloyal. These accusations are part of a pattern, making the individual an active informer against others. This person acts as a delator by making a practice of accusing others of political or social transgressions to the authorities.