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What term is used when a defendant is induced to commit a crime that they would not ordinarily commit?

  1. Duress

  2. Coercion

  3. Entrapment

  4. Conspiracy

The correct answer is: Entrapment

The term describing a situation where a defendant is induced to commit a crime that they would not ordinarily commit is entrapment. Entrapment involves law enforcement officials enticing or persuading an individual into committing a criminal act that they had no intention of engaging in before the intervention. It highlights the concept of the government or police instigating the crime, rather than simply apprehending someone who is already predisposed to act unlawfully. Understanding entrapment is crucial in legal contexts, particularly in criminal defense strategies, as it can serve as a valid defense against prosecution if it's successfully argued that the defendant was not inclined to commit the crime until influenced by law enforcement. This is distinct from other concepts like duress (where threats are made to compel someone to act), coercion (which involves forcing someone to act against their will but may include a broader range of pressure tactics), or conspiracy (which relates to an agreement between two or more parties to commit a crime).