There is now a substantial reward offered in the Tara Calico disappearance hopefully this will yield something (fingers crossed )

http://www.kasa.com/news/crime/reward-offered-in-25-year-old-case

I never understood how these rewards work. If someone has information, aren't they obligated by the law to say something to authorities? If they don't can't they be charged for obstruction of justice? Or is that only if they are a suspect in a case and aren't telling something they may know? And really, how do you acquire the said reward? Would you get a check or something?

Well, considering all the other major cases which have been solved this past week, this is as good a time as any to offer a reward. Maybe the good luck will continue...

Incidentally, RJ Mitte of "Breaking Bad" fame is executive producing a documentary about Tara Calico and has been attempting to raise the necessary funds to finish it. I wonder if he helped raise some of that reward money:
http://planet1051.com/rj-mitte-from-breaking-bad-talks-to-us-about-his-next-project-vanished-the-tara-calico-story-audio/

I never understood how these rewards work. If someone has information, aren't they obligated by the law to say something to authorities? If they don't can't they be charged for obstruction of justice? Or is that only if they are a suspect in a case and aren't telling something they may know? And really, how do you acquire the said reward? Would you get a check or something?

They're usually looking for information from people who have been holding back or who don't realize that they have important information. The promise/hope of money gets people talking.

The obvious issue with obstruction of justice is that there has to be proof that someone has information in the first place AND what that information is. IF LE knew that much, they probably wouldn't need a reward to encourage people to come forward.

Rewards are usually paid out in check - once the information is checked out and frequently not until the case is resolved to a certain extent.

They're usually looking for information from people who have been holding back or who don't realize that they have important information. The promise/hope of money gets people talking.

The obvious issue with obstruction of justice is that there has to be proof that someone has information in the first place AND what that information is. IF LE knew that much, they probably wouldn't need a reward to encourage people to come forward.

Rewards are usually paid out in check - once the information is checked out and frequently not until the case is resolved to a certain extent.
How do you guarantee that you receive the money? Because can't authorities just brush their offer for a reward under the rug if a case is solved? I mean there aren't any contracts in that kind of situation are there?

How do you guarantee that you receive the money? Because can't authorities just brush their offer for a reward under the rug if a case is solved? I mean there aren't any contracts in that kind of situation are there?

Well, I'm no expert, but here is how I imagine it: If I had info on something and I wasn't willing to tell until there was a reward, I'd tell the cops up front...I have info, and I want the reward. From there, I'm assuming the audio/video would start rolling, and if it were me I'd want it stated that I'm getting the reward if/when my info leads to an arrest.

The flip side is I'm willing to bet this brings out a ton of dead leads, people wanting to cash in by making stuff up....or think they have some bizarre memory that might help (brain stimulation by the idea of money). Money is always a good motivator, and I might be wrong, but I believe that if LE got a tip that actually led to an arrest and conviction, they'd pay (or whoever funded the reward, like possibly the family or something).

How do you guarantee that you receive the money? Because can't authorities just brush their offer for a reward under the rug if a case is solved? I mean there aren't any contracts in that kind of situation are there?

It's publicized all over the place. You can't brush things under the internet. The case would also be public knowledge - especially if it went to court/trial and the person seeking the reward had to testify.

The only way I've seen rewards denied is if the information wasn't vital to the case.

And obviously people don't just show up and start talking. They ask about the reward first.

I mean you'd probably get a lot of **** by the public for trying to see the reward, but whatever. It would be interesting to see how one goes about it. You know businesses, authorities, or family might try to squeal out of actually paying if the case is resolved thanks to the information you provide.

"You didn't actually think we were going to pay you did you?"