How does entrapment function as a legal defense?

Entrapment functions as a legal defense by asserting that the defendant was coerced by authorities into committing a crime they would not have otherwise committed. This defense is predicated on the idea that law enforcement officers induce or persuade an individual to commit an illegal act, thus undermining the individual's free will. In such cases, the argument is that the government has effectively tempted or manipulated the defendant into engaging in criminal behavior, which they were not predisposed to do.

The essence of the entrapment defense is rooted in the principle of fairness and the integrity of the justice system, which seeks to prevent the government from creating crime to prosecute individuals. A successful entrapment defense may lead to the dismissal of charges against the defendant, as it highlights a lack of personal culpability due to the coercion exercised by law enforcement.

The other choices present concepts that do not accurately define entrapment. For instance, a plea reducing charges refers to a negotiated outcome in plea bargaining, and claiming the crime was committed by someone else would fall under a different defense strategy. Similarly, asserting that the defendant was unaware of the crime typically relates to issues of mens rea or intent, rather than coercion, and does not address the role of law enforcement in influencing the defendant