To Catch a Predator? Legal ramifications?

Question

I'm not an apologist for pedophiles, but I was wondering about the legality of the show. Isn't it entrapment that these guys get snared up in? Are they charged as sex offenders, or do they get off with a misdemeanor or something? What are they charged with anyway? They always say the cases are "pending," not that anyone was convicted, except those with prior offenses. What crimes are they actually charged with and at what point did they commit the crime? I heard one of the cops say on the show that the crime was committed when they stepped out of their house.

And just one observation...what does this show say about our society? Is it worse that there are people who would do such things, or that the so many people watch the show?

Answer 1

Entrapment occurs when I, as an officer, encourage you to commit a crime that you normally would not do.

These pedophiles are actually being caught up in a sting operation. They are responding to what they believe is an underage kid, sending inappropriate e-mail, and then showing up at a child's home. No officer is encouraging them to write their filth or to send it or to show up at the kid's home. All of that is the criminal conduct of the offender.

As far as crimes go, they committed their first illegal act when they e-mailed sexually explicit matter from their computer.

While this show troubles me sometimes, it is good that people watch it. Most folks seem to think that a pedophile is some easily recognizable monster. Not a doctor, clean cut college kid, health care worker, etc.

Awareness is a huge crime fighting plus.

Answer 2

No, it's not entrapment.

Entrapment, to quote Sean Connery, "is what cops do to thieves". Basically, it only counts as entrapment if it's done by the police or other legal authorities.

Also, entrapment in most jurisdictions requires that the police induce (create, prompt) the formation of criminal intent. Merely providing an opportunity to commit a crime that the person was already willing (or intended) to commit doesn't count as entrapment.

There may be grounds for a civil suit based on invasion of privacy, but few criminals would bother with such suits.

As to their charges, that varies by state. "Sex offender" is an incredibly broad label that includes everything from rape all the way down (in some jurisdictions) to urinating in public or streaking. It's not a single crime.

Why are charges usually pending? Because most criminal proceedings take a year or two from start to finish if there is any significant legal defense mounted. So, by the time the show has aired, a few months later, usually only the most minor matters (which are usually pleaded out quickly) are resolved.

Answer 3

The reason charges are "pending" is that when the show is taped, the charges are just being reviewed by the DA's office, and these types of cases are commonly delayed and slowed WAY down by the defendant and his attorney.

As for entrapment?? Not at all... the folks who are posing as underage girls are good at what they do... the IM's these guys are sending are horrific... and they are TOLD the "girl" is 13.. or 14... so they know... and they pursue the girls.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes with the show that is not divulged when the show is aired. Talking about it openly would be a mistake... but I can tell you that many of them commit additional offenses while online with the "girls" and showing up identifies for the investigators who they are in person.

Answer 4

It is sad to see so many men who are willing to commit such crimes, and I almost feel sorry for some of them...almost.

It is odd that such a show would be so popular, but I look at it this way: How many men choose not to pursue such crimes because of the work of Pervertedjustice.org and MSNBC? We already know that some of the men caught knew about the show and some even suspected that they might be walking into such a setup...but they went to the house anyway.

If this show can prevent the sexual abuse of children and expose those who choose to abuse them, I'm all for it.

As far as the crime they are charged with, it is illegal to solicit sex from a minor, even on the internet. And many of these men send pornographic images to the kids to entice them, and that's a crime.

Answer 5

The people that do the show and other similar law enforcement operations set up a profile on-line for an under age girl (or boy). Then they go into a chat room and wait (usually its a very short wait). The pedos start IMing them and eventually start talking about sex (either overtly or covertly). There's no entrapment to it.
Most states have a law that makes it illegal to solicit someone underage for sex via the internet (even if the person if fictional). Whatever the punishment is for that I'm sure it's not enough.
If you got some fool that will drive several hours out of his way to have sex with a minor then he needs to be locked up.

Answer 6

the people they have caught on the show are wrongfully accuse, since they are actually talking too older people claiming to be underage. I agree these type of people should die or go to jail, but the way this show does it is unjustifiable. A real underage child will never do this too a random older person or be comfortable talking about sexual acts. This show is not right and people caught or in jail cause of this show should be release the law states anyone that is underage. They never really spoke or chatted with anyone underage. This show just as sick as the actual predators out their up ducting and raping kids.

Answer 7

By the men walking into the house knowing that they are there to visit a minor who is home alone is called "intent".

What would you say if you saw in an e-mail to your own daughter that an adult male was coming to see her? Would you call the cops to bust him as he walked in the door...or would you call that entrapment?