When someone asks you to commit a criminal offense, you may vehemently refuse. However, when you are threatened, manipulated, or coerced into doing so, you may feel as though you have no other options. Unfortunately, if you discover that the person who manipulated you is a law enforcement officer and you are now facing criminal charges for something they harassed you into doing, you may not know where to turn. If this reflects your circumstances, you may be a victim of entrapment. If you’re unsure what this entails, you’ll want to keep reading to learn more about these complicated legal matters and the importance of working with an OKC criminal defense lawyer to explore your options during these difficult times.
What Is Police Entrapment?
Entrapment occurs when a police or law enforcement officer prompts you to commit a crime. The most important consideration to make for entrapment revolves around false statements made by the law enforcement agent as a means of persuading someone to commit an offense that they would otherwise not have committed. These false statements can include threats, bribery, coercion, or fraud.
For example, if you have no intention of selling a controlled substance, but an undercover police officer provides you with the substance and threatens you into selling it, then arrests you, it can constitute entrapment. However, if the officer simply asks you if you have anything to sell and you complete the transaction on your own, this would not be considered entrapment.
It’s important to understand that the police can suggest that someone commit a criminal offense, even going so far as to place a trap for the opportunity to commit the crime, does not constitute entrapment. This is because there is no outside force or pressure for the individual to commit the criminal offense.
How Can This Impact the Outcome of My Case?
If you believe you are the victim of entrapment, and as such, an unfair arrest has occurred, it’s imperative to understand what your legal options are. In the United States, this is a valid legal defense as entrapment by law enforcement officers, and though not illegal, does impact the outcome of a criminal case.
Generally, you’ll need to prove that you had no prior intention of committing the criminal offense had you not been coerced, pressured, or manipulated by the law enforcement agent. To prove this, you must adhere to the “preponderance” of evidence standard, which means you must show that it is more likely than not that the police used entrapment as a means of getting you to commit a criminal offense.
If you have been arrested for a crime, it’s critical to understand the importance of working with an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you fight for the best possible outcome for your circumstances. Your attorney can help you gather evidence to prove that you are a victim of entrapment to help you fight for the best possible outcome.
At the Jones Firm, PLLC, our dedicated criminal attorneys can examine your unique circumstances to determine the best course of action for you. Contact us today to learn how we can represent you during these difficult times.
