Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

Who is capable of committing entrapment?

1. Any citizen

2. Police officers only

3. Only the government

4. Judicial authorities

The correct answer is: Only the government

Entrapment fundamentally refers to a situation where law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime that they would not have otherwise committed. This phenomenon is specifically tied to the actions of government agents, which is why the correct answer emphasizes that only the government can commit entrapment. When considering the role of police officers, while they are the typical representatives of the government in this context, it's important to note that any conduct that constitutes entrapment must originate from government sources or agents. This could be through any representative of state power inciting or persuading an individual to engage in criminal behavior. Other entities, like private citizens or judicial authorities, do not possess the same legal standing to enact entrapment. Citizens, regardless of intention, do not have the authority to act as agents of the government. Similarly, judicial authorities operate within a framework designed to interpret and apply the law rather than induce unlawful actions. Thus, their functions do not extend to committing entrapment. Overall, the focus on governmental capacity in the context of entrapment highlights the pivotal role that state involvement plays in the legal nuances surrounding the concept.