Legality of "To Catch A Predator?"?

Question

I guess only the people that have seen this segment of Dateline can answer this.

How is what they do with this show not entrapment?

Answer 1

A good question--andthe answer is that no--it is not entrapment.

There are two reasons why its not. The first is that Dateline is not a state entity--it is private. The legal concept of "entrapment" refers only to the use of certain methods by the government. The fact that the information gathered by Dateline is then turned over to the government does have a bearing of corse--which brings me to the second point.

"Entrapment" is a tern that has been carefully defined by the courts and is designed to exclude certain specific behavior by the state. Although the legal texxts are complex, the basic idea is simple--tactics such as Dateline--or often, the government--uses are acceptable IF AND ONLY IF the person who is the subject commits whatever crime is involved without being encouraged to do so--in other words, if it is clear that the perpetrator would have committed the crime anyway, without the aid/encouragement of the authorities.

Like I said, the legal texts are complex--but that's the core. And Dateline's methods don't fall into the category of entrapment for that reason--the perpetrators are clearly people seeking to commit the crime of their own volition and initiative--and would do so anyway, even if Dateline did not provide them the specific opportunity do do so.

Answer 2

Entrapment is when the police trick the person into committing a crime. For example, "No go ahead. Punch the other police officer, he's off duty so it doesn't count" But by leaving a car for thieves to take, nobody is forcing or telling the person to take the car.
The same goes for the Dateline series. The people on the Dateline side can't try to convince the guy to come over. That would be entrapment. But these men that do come over are the ones that bring up sex first. So, that is why it's not entrapment. The people that show up bring up sex first, not entrapment. The dateline side bring up sex first and convince the person to come over, entrapment.

Answer 3

Entrapment is usually defined as a degree of coercion that would make the average person commit the crime. Just giving someone an opportunity to commit a crime is not enough, because the average person wouldn't go for it.

There are lots of people here under 18 (or who say they are) and neither you nor I, nor most people here, try to solicit them for sex. So merely putting out the bait doesn't force the pervert into the trap.

Speaking of which, if someone wants to "make a date" with someone, why not just make sure they are 18? Having sex with a minor is gross anyway. I guess that's why they call it a SICKNESS!!! Eeww! Friends of mine have daughters that age!

I saw the show once, recently, when I had insomnia. I had to turn it off - it made me sick.

PS It's also not entrapment if a private party - like NBC - rather than the government is doing it. But NBC is clearly cooperating with the police, so I'd guess it's government action.

Answer 4

I agree and disagree, it is complete entrapment, the way they trick a person into doing this, and you really don't know if they start the dirty online conversation or not, but at the same time these a disgusting people who prey on children for horrible purposes, they need to be caught one way or another, so although i definitely see where you are coming from, i'd rather them be caught with entrapment then get away with molesting an innocent child

Answer 5

using undercover and private informants has been extensively and extensively allowed under the U. S. and State Constitutions, and "To seize a Predator" works in reality the comparable way. The crime those adult adult males are committing is "Solicitation of a Minor for a Sexual Act" (or different state equivalent). That demands you ask, motivate or coerce somebody trouble-free TO YOU to be a minor into sexually specific verbal replace or habit. no count if or no longer they are certainly a minor does not count - you theory they have been, meant to have intercourse with them and took a important step in direction of that end with the aid of a million. sexually specific verbal replace, photos, etc; 2. making plans the assembly; 3. going to their homestead. All of those issues point out purpose to have intercourse with a minor which might fulfill the fee of tried ___(toddler molesting, rape, sexual attack - despite). Or considering the fact that maximum states now have rules making it a criminal offense to even communicate approximately intercourse on the internet w/ a toddler, your technicality won't fly.

Answer 6

The officers impersonating little children aren't the ones offering sex, so they're not actively trying to draw in otherwise innocent people. They are letting the pedophiles come to them. It's not entrapment when the child rapists aren't coerced to do/say anything.

Answer 7

It's only entraptment when you are forced to commit a crime by a police officer. It's similar to speed traps, not entrapment because they don't make you speed.

Answer 8

They don't make the men come to the houses of girls they think are minors. They don't force them to ve carrying condoms, and sometimes alcohol, with intent to engage in sexual activity.

They don't make the men send pornographic e-mail to what they think are girls who are minors.

No, it is not entrapment. It is a very creative way to catch pedophiles.

Answer 9

This is no different than a drug bust. It's perfectly legal and I think it's great. Get the sickos off the streets and away from my kids.