What is entrapment in criminal defense law?

Entrapment is a defense against criminal charges in criminal defense law. Entrapment occurs when police and/or government agents encourage someone to commit a crime they would not have committed otherwise. In Washington, entrapment occurs when someone is lured into breaking the law by someone who works for the government (a police officer, for example). In cases of entrapment, the defendant may be able to use this defense and avoid criminal prosecution. When using the entrapment defense in Washington, the defendant must show two things. First, they must demonstrate that the improper inducement of committing the crime was the cause of the illegal act, not their own desire or intention. Second, the defendant must prove that they were not predisposed to commit the crime and did not have intent to do so before the entrapment. To prove entrapment, the defendant must present evidence in court of all the facts surrounding the criminal act. This includes evidence that law enforcement officers created a situation in which the defendant believed it was necessary to commit the crime. It must be proven that the defendant would not have done the act without the officers’ inducements or pressure. In summary, entrapment in criminal defense law in Washington is a legal defense that occurs when law enforcement officers improperly induce someone to commit a crime. To prove entrapment, the defendant must show that the inducement of the crime was the cause of the illegal act, and that they were not predisposed to committing the illegal act prior to the entrapment.

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What is entrapment in criminal defense law?

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