Which defense arises when the defendant was induced by police into committing a crime they would not have committed otherwise?

• A. Duress
• B. Entrapment
• C. Self-defense
• D. Necessity

Answer: (B)

Entrapment occurs when police or government agents induce a person to commit a crime they would not have committed otherwise. The crucial point is that the idea to commit the offense comes from authorities, and the defendant lacked predisposition to commit it on their own. If the defendant would not have engaged in the crime without the police’s inducement, the defense can be successful. Courts often consider whether the person was predisposed to commit the crime before any police involvement (subjective test) or whether the police conduct would have entrapped a normally law-abiding person (objective test).

Duress involves being forced to commit a crime due to threats or harm, not police inducement. Self-defense is about using reasonable force to protect oneself from an imminent threat. Necessity justifies breaking the law to avoid a greater harm in a specific situation. These defenses address different pressures or justifications than entrapment.