Entrapment

Entrapment refers to the act of tricking or luring someone into committing a crime or illegal act. This is typically done by law enforcement officers, although it can also be perpetrated by private citizens. The key element is the intent to induce the individual to commit an act they would not have otherwise performed. Legally, Entrapment defenses are used when law enforcement excessively persuades a person to commit a crime and it is often assessed based on the suspect's predisposition to engage in the criminal behavior. The purpose behind the use of entrapment, especially by law enforcement, is to catch or ensnare someone who is already involved in criminal activity, thus aiding in stopping it. It can be seen as a controversial investigative technique, often involving undercover operations.

Entrapment meaning with examples

• Undercover agents posing as drug dealers offered the suspect increasingly large quantities of drugs, eventually convincing him to purchase an amount that constituted trafficking. The defense argued this was entrapment. The jury, considering the suspect's prior record, decided that no Entrapment had occurred.
• The sting operation involved an online dating profile set up by law enforcement to catch predators. When a man responded to the profile and arranged to meet with the "minor," he was arrested, and the defense claimed Entrapment, arguing the man had no criminal history involving minors before the investigation.
• A police officer, during a traffic stop, repeatedly suggested the driver might be intoxicated despite no initial signs. The officer then offered the driver a series of beers until he eventually appeared inebriated. The defense argued this constituted illegal entrapment.
• An informant offered a struggling business owner financial assistance in exchange for setting up an illegal gambling operation. After the owner accepted the funds and began the illegal activity, they were arrested. The business owner's defense was that they were the subject of entrapment.
• During a terrorism investigation, an agent planted bomb making instructions online and monitored anyone that accessed the site and followed the instructions. After a suspect was monitored to have followed the instructions, the suspect was arrested. The defense, arguing the suspect had not previously been predisposed to terrorism, claimed entrapment.