Entrapment facts for kids

Entrapment is when someone, often a police officer or government official, tries to trick or persuade another person into doing something illegal. The main idea is that the person wouldn't have committed the crime if they hadn't been tricked. In some countries, if you can prove you were entrapped, it might mean you aren't held responsible for the crime.

What is Entrapment?

Entrapment happens when officials encourage someone to break the law. It's different from just catching someone who was already planning a crime. The key part is that the idea to commit the crime comes from the official, not the person.

For example, if a police officer keeps pushing someone to buy something illegal, even if that person says no many times, it could be entrapment. The goal is to prevent officials from creating crimes just to make arrests.

Why is Entrapment a Problem?

The main reason entrapment is seen as unfair is that it might lead innocent people into trouble. It's about making sure that law enforcement focuses on stopping real criminals, not on creating new ones.

If someone was tricked into doing something illegal, they might argue in court that they were entrapped. This means they are saying they wouldn't have done it without the official's strong influence.

Agent Provocateur

A term similar to entrapment is "agent provocateur." This is an old French term. It describes the person who does the tricking or persuading.

An agent provocateur is someone who tries to cause trouble or get others to commit illegal acts. They often do this to expose or arrest people. Sometimes, they might even join a group to encourage them to break the law.

Sting Operations

A "sting operation" is a more organized way to catch people doing illegal things. It usually involves setting up a situation where someone might be tempted to commit a crime.

For example, police might pretend to be selling something illegal. They then wait to see who tries to buy it. These operations are carefully planned. They often involve recording what happens. The goal is to gather evidence against people who are already involved in criminal activities.

Sting operations are different from entrapment because they usually target people who are already willing to commit a crime. They don't try to trick someone who has no intention of breaking the law.