What is entrapment in drug offenses?

Entrapment is a legal defense in cases involving drug crimes in California. It occurs when law enforcement officers or other government agents pressure someone into committing a crime they would not have otherwise committed. In drug cases, entrapment typically involves officers encouraging a person to purchase or sell drugs, or otherwise commit a drug crime, when the person has no prior criminal record or criminal history. Entrapment can be the result of coercion, harassment, threats, extortion, or any other form of unfair or deceptive behavior from law enforcement. The accused must have reasonable evidence of entrapment in order to use it as a defense in court. This may include undercover officers pressuring the accused for long periods of time or making promises that cannot be kept. A successful entrapment defense will result in the charges being dismissed or the accused being acquitted of their drug crime. It is important to note, however, that entrapment defenses are rarely successful. This is because the prosecution must prove that the accused was predisposed to commit the crime before any entrapment occurred. If the prosecution can prove this, then the entrapment defense fails.

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What is entrapment in drug offenses?

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