The Definition Of Entrapment And How To Handle It

Despite the common belief that the justice system is designed to catch and punish only bad guys, the reality is a bit darker. After all, nothing in this world is perfect and the justice system is no different. In some cases, people are getting arrested and even being charged with crimes under certain pressure. At times, the law enforcement authorities are far too eager to arrest the offenders and are not stopping until they get results they are looking for. In certain cases, even though the guilt of a person is yet to be proven, the law enforcement authorities can use intimidation techniques in order to squeeze a crime out of a person. Such a thing, when the law enforcement authorities are pretty much making you confess to a crime, is called entrapment and is an offense on its own. Here are a few examples of how it works in order for you to better understand when the actions of the police can be deemed as entrapment:

• You are simply walking around, minding your own business. Suddenly, an undercover law enforcement officer approaches you. Needless to say, you do not know that he is an officer. The man asks if you could sell him some drugs and claims that he will give you a fair price. Of course, you tell him that you are not selling drugs and that he should leave you alone, so the man walks away. In this case, the actions of the police officers cannot be deemed as entrapment, since he simply asked you a question and when you answered it, decided to go away. 

• Once again, you are approached by an undercover police officer. You have no idea that this is a undercover law enforcement officer. He is asking you to sell him some drugs. You tell him that you are not selling any illegal substances. Instead of simply walking away, the man starts to cry and literally begs you for a dose, telling you that he can no longer live without it. Hence, the officer is using pressure and this can be used against him in court.

• Furthermore, the law enforcement officers may be using harassment in order to get results. This means that if you are going to refuse to sell the guy drugs, he will begin to follow you just about everywhere you go. He will call you every single day and will even follow you to work. He will be blackmailing you until you will give him what he wants.

•  Persuasion is yet another tool of the police. The undercover officer may tell you that he will simply take the drugs from your bag and leave the money there. This is also something that could be used in court as a means of defending yourself. 

One way or the other, entrapment could be turned into a viable defense strategy if you have a qualified as well as experienced federal criminal lawyer by your side.

The Los Angeles Criminal Defense Specialists