Legal Definitions - coerced confession

A coerced confession refers to an admission of guilt that was not given voluntarily but was instead obtained through improper pressure, threats, intimidation, or other forms of undue influence by law enforcement or other authorities. Such confessions are generally considered unreliable and are inadmissible as evidence in court because they violate an individual's constitutional rights to due process and protection against self-incrimination.

Here are some examples illustrating a coerced confession:

• Example 1: Threat of Harm to Family

  During an interrogation, a detective tells a suspect, "If you don't confess to this robbery right now, we'll arrest your elderly mother for obstruction of justice, and she'll lose her pension." Fearing for his mother's well-being, the suspect, who maintains his innocence, signs a confession statement.

  This illustrates a coerced confession because the suspect's admission was not a voluntary act of guilt but was compelled by a direct threat against a loved one, creating an immense amount of undue pressure.

• Example 2: Prolonged Interrogation and Deprivation

  A young adult, arrested on suspicion of vandalism, is subjected to an interrogation lasting over 15 hours without adequate food, water, or sleep. Officers repeatedly tell them that they won't be allowed to leave or rest until they "tell the truth" and sign a confession, even though the individual consistently denies involvement.

  This demonstrates a coerced confession because the confession was obtained through extreme psychological pressure, including sleep deprivation and the withholding of basic necessities, which undermined the individual's free will and ability to resist.

• Example 3: False Promises and Exploitation of Vulnerability

  An individual with a known intellectual disability is questioned about a minor theft. The interrogating officer falsely promises, "If you just admit you took the item, we'll let you go home immediately, and no charges will be filed." Believing this false assurance, the individual confesses, despite not having committed the crime.

  This is an example of a coerced confession because the officer exploited the individual's vulnerability and cognitive limitations by making a false promise of leniency to induce an admission, rendering the confession involuntary and unreliable.