Rethinking Entrapment Summary

The article Rethinking Entrapment by Joseph Colquitt speaks to several arguments concerning the criminal justice systems entrapment doctrine. Colquitt’s assertions are that entrapment is a preferred method used by law enforcement and is not restricted, However, human rights activist contend the tactic is grossly misused and requires control to prevent misuse. The method of entrapment is viewed by the public as a deceptive practice. The community is suspicious of officers due to entrapment procedures and feel it conflicts with police community relations. Furthermore, Colquitt’s article focuses on how to improve the use of entrapment practices as it is a necessary process of law enforcement officers to discourage as well as capture criminals

The cases of proper entrapment procedure and the interception of crime before it happens has been largely successful in crime prevention. Nevertheless, despite the immense success of the practice there are cases where its power was abused. Undercover Officers are key parts in stopping crime in today’s society especially when speaking of crime such as terrorism, human trafficking and cybercrimes.

Rethinking Entrapment emphases that the practice of entrapment is not meant to victimize upstanding followers of the law, rather it is an acceptable and highly effective preparation of law enforcement to interrupt and stop crime from happening within our communities. (Gibbs, 2012) The fact is entrapment is not infallible. There are circumstances were entrapment was proven unsuccessful when innocent people were charged with crimes they did not commit and other cases where criminals were found not guilt in a court of law due to improper entrapment procedures by undercover

Law enforcement agencies using entrapment procedure must be aware of the slippery slope of entrapping criminals and the coercing of people into committing crimes that had no intention of committing. The article also expresses the usefulness of officer decoys to catch criminals in the act of breaking the law without effecting citizens. Lastly, Colquitt explains although entrapment is efficient its use may be in jeopardy due to overstepping boundary’s and in turn causing negative impressions of the practice by the