What is entrapment as a legal defense?

Entrapment as a legal defense occurs when a person is persuaded or induced by government officials or agents to commit a crime that they would not have otherwise engaged in. This concept is based on the idea that law enforcement should not provoke or entice individuals to commit offenses purely for the sake of prosecution. The rationale behind this defense is to prevent the government from encouraging illegal activities and then penalizing individuals for actions they would have refrained from taking if not for the pressure or manipulation from law enforcement.

Understanding this definition highlights the essential elements of entrapment: the involvement of government agents and the lack of predisposition on the part of the accused to commit the crime. This differs from other concepts such as unintentional acts or agreements to break the law, which do not meet the legal threshold for claiming entrapment. Therefore, recognizing the critical role of inducement by authorities is paramount in applying this defense successfully in legal contexts.