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What does the entrapment defense require?

  1. Proof that the defendant was coerced by threats

  2. Proof that the crime was committed under duress

  3. Proof that police trickery induced the crime

  4. Proof that the defendant had a prior history of crime

The correct answer is: Proof that police trickery induced the crime

The entrapment defense requires proof that police trickery induced the crime. This legal concept is based on the idea that law enforcement officers can’t simply entice or manipulate an individual into committing a criminal act that they would not have otherwise committed. The focus is on the actions of law enforcement rather than the predispositions or background of the defendant. For an individual to successfully claim entrapment, they must demonstrate that government agents used deception or coercive tactics to persuade them to commit a crime, effectively overcoming their will or inhibiting their judgment. This principle serves to prevent law enforcement from engaging in unethical practices that could lead innocent individuals to break the law. Therefore, the essence of the entrapment defense lies in identifying the role of police behavior in instigating the crime, rather than factors related to coercion, duress, or criminal history.