Reward

is an offer of recompense given by authority of law for the performance of some act for the public good; which, when the act has been performed, is to be paid; or it is the recompense actually paid. A reward may be offered by the government, or by a private person. In criminal prosecutions, a person may be a competent witness although he expects, on conviction of the prisoner, to receive a reward.

1 Leach, 314, (n.); 9 Barn. & Cresw. 556; S. C. Eng. C. L. R. 441; 1 Leach, 134; 1 Hayw. Rep. 3; 1 Root, R. 249; Stark. Ev. pt. 4, p. 772, 3; Roscoe’s Cr. Ev. 104; 1 Chit. Cr. Law, 881; Hawk. B. 2, c. 12, s. 21 to 38; 4 Bl. Com. 294; Burn’s Just. Felony, iv.

By the common law, informers, who are entitled under penal statutes to part of the penalty, are not in general competent witceive no execution, unless a party interested be a witness, then it seems proper to admit him, for the statute must not be rendered ineffectual for want of proof.

Gilb.114.

In many acts of the legislature there is a provision that the informer shall be a witness, notwithstanding the reward.

1 Phil. Ev. 92, 99.