What is entrapment in federal criminal law?

Entrapment is a legal defense to a criminal charge in federal criminal law, specifically in Tennessee. It is a concept used to explain situations where a law enforcement officer or undercover agent induces a person to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed. For a criminal defendant to successfully use entrapment as a defense, they must show that a law enforcement officer or agency induced them to commit the crime. This must be done in a way that was more than simply offering an opportunity to commit a crime. The defendant must also show that they were not predisposed to commit the crime. If entrapment is successfully proven, the judge or jury may find the defendant not guilty of the offense and dismiss the case. It is important to note that in Tennessee for entrapment to be available as a defense the defendant must have been tricked or enticed to commit a crime by a law enforcement officer or agency. In federal criminal law, the doctrine of entrapment is provided for in Title 18 of the United States Code Section 242. It is a widely accepted legal defense used to prevent the government from illegally coercing individuals into committing a crime.

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