Did Entrapment During A Police Sting Lead To Your Arrest?

Were you arrested in relation to a police sting operation? Do you face serious criminal charges of internet solicitation of a minor, prostitution or a drug crime as a result? The criminal defense attorneys at the Muth Atwood, PLLC, will work hard to put this legal crisis behind you.

As a law firm team that regularly handles these cases, we are well-acquainted with the defense of entrapment. At the Muth Atwood, PLLC, we dig deeply for the facts that led to your arrest for a sex crime against a child or an adult. Our attorneys bring those facts to skillful negotiations with prosecutors in courts throughout Washington, including King County Superior Court. Call us today at 866-235-0030 to learn more about our services.

When A Police Sting Crosses The Line

Police decoy and sting operations can round up any number of suspects for arrests on child pornography and solicitation charges. Our lawyers know that you may have been totally unaware that you were engaged in an online “chat” with a minor. They will use their many years of experience, in-depth knowledge of state and federal courts, and proven litigation skills to protect your rights. Our firm is a recognized leader in criminal defense in western Washington. Our track record of success over many years of practice has given us the tools to help.

Anatomy Of A Sting Operation

While the details of a police sting operation can vary, they generally contain these four elements:

• The police create or exploit a chance for a person to commit a crime.
• They target this opportunity toward an individual or group they deem to be likely offenders.
• An undercover officer or someone working with the police entices the target, or the police use some form of deception.
• The police arrest the target after they allegedly commit the intended crime.

A sting operation can be carried out in person, such as someone posing as a sex worker or drug dealer on the street. It also happens online, with an officer posing as an underage person on social media or in a chat room. While these operations are legal and regularly performed in Seattle and the rest of Washington, stings are controversial and can easily cross the line into illegal entrapment.

Sting Operation FAQ

The law around undercover sting operations can be confusing. Here are answers to some common questions.

Do sting operations always involve a second location?

Not necessarily, but it is a common tactic to lure targets to a house or hotel room to make the sting seem more convincing. For example, the target could be told to meet the “drug dealer” at a home to arrange a buy.

When is a sting operation illegal?

An illegal sting operation is called “entrapment.” In Washington, an undercover operation crosses the line into entrapment when the criminal design originated in the minds of law enforcement or one of their agents, and the target was induced or lured to commit the crime that they would not have intended to commit otherwise.

What crimes do the police use sting operations for?

Perhaps the most common use for sting operations in state of Washington is to target sex crimes, particularly soliciting prostitution, sex with minors and child pornography. Drug trafficking is another target.

Lawyers Dedicated To Your Defense

Officials from government agencies may attempt to assume the persona of a minor to lure others into communicating via personal computer or smartphone. If this has happened to you, and your freedoms and future hinge on the outcome of a criminal trial in state or federal court, you should not assume you are guilty of predatory behavior simply because the authorities think you are. You should do whatever you can to avoid a lifetime of harsh punishments, including sex offender registration. You should contact the Muth Atwood, PLLC, immediately.

Call 866-235-0030. You can also reach our Seattle law office by email.