Final answer:
Undercover officers commit entrapment when they induce someone to commit a crime they would not have committed without such inducement. It is distinguishable from legitimate stings and is tied to protecting individuals' rights, aligning with the need for probable cause and proper arrest procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Entrapment occurs when undercover officers improperly induce someone to commit a crime they otherwise would not have committed. It is a practice wherein law enforcement officials might create a situation to lead individuals into committing criminal acts. When considering entrapment, it is important to distinguish it from lawful sting operations where officers provide opportunities for suspects to commit a crime that they are already willing to commit without persuasion or coercion from law enforcement.
For example, say the police set up a sting operation targeting individuals dealing illegal substances. If the officers merely pose as buyers and wait for someone to offer them the substances, it is not entrapment. However, if the officers persuade someone who is not already dealing to start selling substances solely because of their insistence or manipulation, it could be considered entrapment.
In terms of probable cause and the need for arrest warrants, these concepts help ensure that the rights of individuals are protected by requiring sufficient evidence before someone can be legally detained or arrested.