What is Entrapment?Entrapment is a criminal defense in which the police induce a person to commit a crime that he would not have otherwise committed. Can I Raise Entrapment as a Defense?
You can claim that you aren't guilty of a crime because you were an entrapment victim if: - The idea for the crime came from the police officer and not from you. If you approach an undercover officer to try to buy drugs and are arrested, you are not a victim of entrapment.
- The police officer took some act to convince you to commit the crime. Just providing the opportunity to commit the crime does not constitute entrapment, the officer must persuade you in some way.
- You were not planning to commit the crime before the police officer encouraged you.
If a Police Officer Lies to Me about His Identity, Is that Entrapment?
No. Police officers are lawfully permitted to lie while undercover. Thus, if you ask an undercover officer if he¿s a cop and he says no, you can¿t claim entrapment on that fact alone. How Likely Is it that I Will Succeed in Raising an Entrapment Defense?
To successfully raise an entrapment defense, you must prove that you were not inclined to commit the crime before you were coerced into it by the officer. Whether or not you can prove this will depend on: - Your criminal record
- Whether you committed the crime for profit
- The amount of reluctance to commit the crime you demonstrated
Do I Need a Lawyer?If you believe you are the victim of entrapment, you should contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. A qualified criminal defense lawyer will help you determine if your defense is valid and defend you accordingly. |
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