MovieChat Forums > Cops (1989) Discussion > Love the show, but serious question

Love the show, but serious question


Why is entrapment allowed on Cops (and has been since the 80's) but when To Catch a Predator does it all of a sudden everyone screams "entrapment! oh noes! that's not allowed!" No trolling, I am seriously confused on this. What is the difference between setting up a drug bust or a prostitution ring on Cops and setting up a sexual encounter with undercover cops posing as underage children?

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> What is the difference between setting up a drug bust or a prostitution ring on Cops and setting up a sexual encounter with undercover cops posing as underage children?

There is no significant difference. The only real difference is that the prostitution stings are set up by the police while the Predator stings are set up by private groups that inform the police of what they are doing, turn over evidence, and invite the police to participate. They also invite TV cameras and Chris Hansen to film it all for entertainment purposes. Other than the whole circus atmosphere of Predator, there is no real difference.

> all of a sudden everyone screams "entrapment! oh noes! that's not allowed!"

99% of the public has no idea what entrapment really is. They think that any time a cop tricks you, it is entrapment. That's wrong. Entrapment is a very specific situation where a cop entices you to do something illegal that you wouldn't ordinarily do. Like if an undercover cop comes up to you at a bar and says that he's got a tip on an unlocked door at a bank and that you and he should go and steal some money. That's entrapment.

But, if you demonstrate that you were going to commit a crime anyway, such as visiting a prostitute, entrapment never applies. An undercover cop can pose as a prostitute and if you are trolling the local hangouts and make a deal with her, you get arrested and it is not entrapment because you willingly came to the area and are talking to hookers, so it is assumed by the courts that you already intended to commit that crime.

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What Would Jesus Do For A Klondike Bar (WWJDFAKB)?

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Great explanation, bing.

To put it succinctly: merely giving someone the opportunity to commit a crime (i.e., leaving a bicycle in a high crime area) does not entrapment make.

If, however, I am an undercover police officer and I come up to you and say, "Hey, man, let's steal this bike. It's awesome. C'mon, we won't get caught. Let's go for it!" That would be considered entrapment as you probably wouldn't have done it ordinarily without my encouragement.

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