What is entrapment in criminal defense law?

In criminal defense law, entrapment is a defense used when a defendant asserts that they have been induced or persuaded to commit a crime they would not have committed otherwise. In Kentucky, entrapment occurs when a law enforcement officer or government agent uses overbearing tactics, such as threats, intimidation, fraud, flattery, duress, or undue pressure to persuade an individual to commit a crime. In order for a defendant to successfully use the entrapment defense, they must prove that they had no previous intent to commit the crime and that they only acted out of the persuasion from the law enforcement officer or government agent. If a court finds that a defendant was entrapped, the court may dismiss the charges against the defendant. In Kentucky, it is a defense to criminal liability that the defendant was lured by law enforcement to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed. However, law enforcement agents may still use investigatory tactics to establish probable cause to make an arrest or to gather evidence, so long as they do not use coercion, false promises, or other tactics that cross the line into entrapment. In such cases, the court will evaluate all of the evidence presented and make a determination as to whether or not entrapment occurred.

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What is entrapment in criminal defense law?

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