Opinion ID: 1992950
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: purpose and history

Text: The overall purpose of the entrapment defense is to deter the corruptive use of governmental authority by invalidating convictions that result from law enforcement efforts that have as their effect the instigation or manufacture of a new crime by one who would not otherwise have been so disposed. People v D'Angelo, 401 Mich 167, 174; 257 NW2d 655 (1977); People v Turner, 390 Mich 7, 16; 210 NW2d 336 (1973); People v Sinclair, 387 Mich 91, 116-120; 194 NW2d 878 (1972). In Michigan entrapment is not a defense that negates an essential element of the charged crime. Instead, it presents facts that are collateral to the crime that justify barring the defendant's prosecution. D'Angelo, 401 Mich 179. We previously defined Michigan's entrapment defense: [W]hen the agents' involvement in criminal activities goes beyond the mere offering of such an opportunity, and when their conduct is of a kind that could induce or instigate the commission of a crime by one not ready and willing to commit it, then  regardless of the character or propensities of the particular person induced  I think entrapment has occurred. For in that situation, the Government has engaged in the impermissible manufacturing of crime .... [ Turner, 390 Mich 21 (citing United States v Russell, 411 US 423, 445; 93 S Ct 1637; 36 L Ed 2d 366 [1973]) (Stewart, J., dissenting). Emphasis added.] However, when a defendant is only given the opportunity to commit a crime, or is given aid in furthering an already committed conspiracy so that the government can acquire evidence of that crime, the defendant cannot claim entrapment as a defense. People v Smith, 296 Mich 176, 182; 295 NW 605 (1941). In applying the entrapment defense, two tests have emerged across the country. Many states and the federal government use a subjective test, while Michigan and a minority of other states follow the objective test of entrapment. In Jamieson, supra, we analyzed both federal and Michigan law and determined that we would continue to follow the objective test, which focuses primarily on the investigative and evidence-gathering procedures used by the governmental agents, rather than the subjective test, which focuses on the defendant's pre-disposition or motivation to commit a new crime. Id. at 72. Under a proper approach, factors of both the subjective and objective tests can be considered and utilized to determine if entrapment occurred. Id. at 79. Both tests are concerned with the eradication of convictions that result more from law enforcement invention than from law enforcement detection. Id. at 78. The purpose of the entrapment test is to discourage police conduct that manufactures, induces, or instigates the commission of a crime, rather than simply detecting criminal behavior. Turner, supra at 20. We do not judge whether a particular scheme or plan used by the police was the best or most effective way to detect criminal behavior. Jamieson, supra at 82. If we were to decide whether certain types of police conduct were reprehensible because better or more effective ways or techniques to detect criminal behavior were available, we would simply be allowing judges and courts to vent their own personal thoughts and beliefs regarding police investigative practices. However, the objective entrapment test, as formulated in Jamieson, must instead determine whether the police conduct in question has as its probable and likely outcome the instigation rather than the detection of criminal activity. Id. at 77.