What is entrapment in criminal defense law?

In criminal defense law, entrapment is a legal defense that a defendant can use to show that they were induced to commit a criminal act that they would not have otherwise committed. In other words, entrapment occurs when someone is tricked or coerced by law enforcement into committing a crime. Entrapment can occur in a variety of ways, such as offering someone money or other items of value in exchange for committing a crime, or using undue influence or pressure to induce someone to commit a crime. Another form of entrapment is when law enforcement uses overly aggressive tactics to lure someone into breaking the law. In Texas, the entrapment defense is established by two primary elements: (1) law enforcement must have induced the defendant into committing the offense; and (2) the defendant must have engaged in the criminal activity because of the inducement. The burden of proof is on the defendant to prove both elements in order to successfully use the entrapment defense. Thus, entrapment is an important defense in criminal law, especially in cases where law enforcement has overstepped its bounds in an effort to prosecute a defendant. It provides a way for defendants to demonstrate that law enforcement induced them into criminal acts that they would not have otherwise committed.

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What is entrapment in criminal defense law?

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