Entrapment is a major concern in vice operations. What steps can undercover operatives take to avoid being accused of it? Do you think the whole concept is entrapment? why or why not? Explain your position and support it.
Entrapment is a major concern in vice operations
Full Answer Section
- Not using excessive pressure or persuasion. This means not using threats, intimidation, or other coercive tactics to get people to commit crimes.
- Not offering inducements that are too great to resist. This means not offering people things that they would not be able to resist, such as large sums of money or promises of immunity.
- Being careful not to create a situation in which the person would not have committed the crime if the undercover operative had not been involved. This means not setting up situations that are so tempting that the person would be unable to resist.
- The law on entrapment varies from state to state. In some states, the focus is on whether the defendant had the predisposition to commit the crime before the undercover operative was involved. In other states, the focus is on whether the undercover operative used excessive pressure or persuasion to get the defendant to commit the crime.
- The defense of entrapment is not always successful. Even if the defendant can prove that they were entrapped, the court may still find them guilty of the crime.
- The concept of entrapment is not limited to vice operations. It can also apply to other types of law enforcement operations, such as drug stings and terrorism investigations.
Sample Answer
Entrapment is a major concern in vice operations because it can lead to the wrongful conviction of innocent people. Undercover operatives can take a number of steps to avoid being accused of entrapment, including:- Only targeting people who are already predisposed to commit crimes. This means not trying to convince people who would not otherwise commit a crime to do so.