New York State Private Investigator Practice Exam

What does entrapment involve?

1. A person committing a crime spontaneously

2. A public servant inducing a person to commit an unplanned crime

3. Manipulating evidence to secure a conviction

4. Allowing individuals to negotiate their charges

The correct answer is: A public servant inducing a person to commit an unplanned crime

Entrapment involves a situation where a public servant, such as a law enforcement officer, incites or convinces a person to commit a crime that they would not have otherwise committed. This often means creating conditions or suggesting opportunities that lead the individual to engage in illegal activity. The key aspect of entrapment is the element of inducement; the person being charged did not have the intent or predisposition to engage in the criminal conduct until they were influenced or pressured by the agent of the state. This principle serves to protect individuals from being unfairly prosecuted for crimes they would not typically commit without the involvement of law enforcement persuading them to do so. If a defense can prove that the crime would not have happened without the governmental influence, the charge may be dismissed based on the entrapment defense. Other options suggest scenarios that do not accurately capture the legal definition of entrapment, such as spontaneous criminal behavior, manipulation of evidence, or negotiating charges, which do not align with the legal principles surrounding the entrapment doctrine.