What is a Sting Operation? In law enforcement, a
sting operation is a deceptive operation designed to catch a person committing a crime. A typical sting
will have a law-enforcement officer or
cooperative member of the public play a role as criminal partner or potential victim and go along with a suspect’s actions to gather evidence of the suspect’s wrongdoing. Sting operations are common in many countries including the United States.
Ethical and Legal Concerns – Sting operations are fraught with ethical concerns over whether they constitute entrapment. Law-enforcement may have to be careful not to
provoke the commission of a crime by someone who would not otherwise have done so. Contrary to popular misconceptions, however, entrapment does not prohibit undercover police officers from posing as criminals or denying that they are police.Entrapment is typically only a defense if a suspect is pressured into committing a crime they would probably not have committed otherwise, though the legal definition of this pressure varies greatly from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
CSLB Sting Operations – Every so often the
Contractors State License Board (CSLB) likes to shake things up a bit. They step out of the office and have some fun for a few days by planning something called a “sting operation”. Usually they put some kind of local ads posing as a company or potential client who’s looking for contractors to hire for a construction project. They set up appointments and interview the contractors who are looking to bid on the project. Some might be legitimate contractors (having a contractor license) but for those contractors bidding without a contractor license – look out! Contractors caught bidding on jobs without a contractor license receive a citation and are fined. Bidding on any job of $500 or more (including labor and materials) is against the law unless you have a contractor license. If convicted the penalites could be anywhere from $3,000 – $15,000 and may include jail time. If you are bidding on a contractor job or doing any advertising for construction work you must include your contractor’s license number, otherwise you are breaking the law.
So to all my contractor friends, please do yourself a favor… get your contractor license! Not only will you be able to stop looking over your shoulder and worrying all the time, but you can start enjoying the rewards and benefits of having a contractor’s license… financial independence, payment for your work, business loans, discounts, tax breaks, protections, bigger jobs, lucrative business contacts, professional prestige, and the greatest advantage of them all greater income! What are the requirements to get a California Contractor’s License? You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a contractor license, with 4 years experience in your trade. You can claim self employment, you may also claim both part time and full time experience. If you have an Associate or Bachelor degree, the state will reduce your work experience requirement. For more details on work experience and educational credit, see our information section. You can also contact your course director. Note: The state will not accept work experience that goes back farther than the last 10 years. If you’ve got more questions about getting a contractor license, contact us. Our knowledgeable and experienced staff can give you the answers you need and look forward to hearing from you.
