Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

Entrapment is a legal defense that arises when an individual claims that they were induced or persuaded by law enforcement officials to commit a crime that they would not have otherwise committed. This defense is rooted in the idea that the government should not create criminals through its own actions. When someone argues entrapment, they usually contend that the law enforcement agent's actions went beyond mere encouragement and amounted to coercion, influencing their decision to engage in illegal activity.

This defense serves to protect individuals from being unfairly prosecuted for actions they would not have taken without the instigation of law enforcement. It's important to note that simply providing an opportunity to commit a crime does not constitute entrapment; the key factor is whether the agent's actions constituted an overreach that led to the commission of the crime.

The other options pertain to different legal concepts that do not directly relate to the principles of entrapment, making this defense unique and specific in the context of criminal law. Coercion typically relates to threats or pressure that force someone to act against their will, while the other options mention lawful acts, negligence, and self-defense justifications, which do not involve the manipulation of law enforcement in the same way entrapment does.