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Using Entrapment as a Defense to Sex Crimes in Chicago
|Last Updated on: 1st October 2023, 03:24 pm
Using Entrapment as a Defense to Sex Crimes in Chicago
Facing sex crime charges in Chicago can be really scary. It can ruin your reputation and your life. But there are defenses you can use to protect yourself and get the charges dropped. One defense is “entrapment.” This is when the police trick you into committing a crime you wouldn’t normally do. Let’s look at how entrapment works as a defense against sex crimes in Chicago.
What is entrapment in Illinois?
Entrapment means the police made you commit a crime you wouldn’t normally do[1]. The law says you’re not guilty if a cop or other government person gets you to commit a crime just to arrest you[2]. For example, if an undercover cop asks you to buy drugs and you say no, but then the cop pressures you into it, that’s entrapment. You have to show you weren’t already planning to commit the crime.
How does this apply to sex crimes?
Cops sometimes use “bait” tactics to catch sexual predators. Like they will have an undercover female officer pretend to be a prostitute. Then they wait for guys to approach her for sex and arrest them[3]. The guys often claim entrapment. But usually it’s not entrapment because the guys approached the undercover cop voluntarily. They were already ready to commit the crime.
But sometimes the cops go too far. Like if the undercover cop has to talk the guy into agreeing to pay for sex after he already said no. Or if she stands in an area where guys don’t normally look for prostitutes. That could be entrapment. An experienced lawyer has to look at all the facts.
How can you prove entrapment?
Proving entrapment is hard. The key is showing you wouldn’t have committed the crime if the cop didn’t pressure you[4]. Your lawyer needs evidence like:
- Recordings of what the cop said to you
- Your clean criminal record
- Witnesses who say you’d never do this
- Proof the cops pressured you after you said no
Without solid proof, the entrapment defense probably won’t work. The prosecutor will argue you were ready and willing to commit the crime.
What are other defenses against sex crimes?
Entrapment is just one defense. Your lawyer may also argue[5]:
- You’re innocent and the victim is lying
- The cops violated your rights when collecting evidence
- There’s not enough evidence to convict you
- You should get a plea bargain to a lesser charge
The best defense depends on the facts of your specific case. An experienced sex crimes lawyer will know how to get charges reduced or dismissed. Don’t take chances – get a free consultation today.
Conclusion
Entrapment is a real defense against sex crime charges in Chicago. But it’s hard to prove the police improperly pressured you into committing a crime. Your best bet is an aggressive lawyer who understands entrapment and other defenses. Don’t go it alone against the cops – protect your rights with expert legal help.
References
[1] What is Entrapment in Illinois?
[2] Defending Yourself If You’re The Victim of Entrapment by Chicago Police
[3] Is a Sex Sting Operation in IL Entrapment?
[5] Possible Defense Strategies to Use Against Chicago Sex Charges