Legal Definitions - involuntary confession

An involuntary confession is when a criminal suspect admits to guilt under pressure or coercion from law enforcementauthorities. This can include threats or force used to obtain the confession.

Examples of involuntary confessions include:

• A suspect being beaten by police until they confess to a crime they did not commit.
• A suspect being promised a lighter sentence if they confess, even if they are innocent.
• A suspect being interrogated for hours without access to food, water, or rest until they confess.

These examples illustrate how an involuntary confession can be obtained through unethical or illegal means, and can lead to false convictions and miscarriages of justice.