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Simple English definitions for legal terms
confession
Read a random definition: Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
A quick definition of confession:
A confession is when someone admits to doing something wrong, like breaking a law. They can say it out loud or write it down. It's only considered a confession if they do it on their own, without anyone forcing them or promising them something in return. Confessions usually include details about what they did wrong. But if someone was forced or threatened into confessing, it doesn't count as a real confession.
A more thorough explanation:
A confession is when someone admits to committing a crime or being involved in it. It can be done by speaking or writing. The person confessing must do so voluntarily, without being threatened or promised anything in return. Confessions usually include details about the crime.
For example, if someone is arrested for stealing a car and they admit to doing it, that is a confession. However, if the police force them to confess by threatening them, that confession may not be valid.
Confessions are important in criminal law because they can be used as evidence in court. However, if a confession was obtained through coercion or threats, it may not be admissible in court.
One famous example of a confession is the case of the Central Park Five. Five young men were accused of raping a woman in Central Park in 1989. They all confessed to the crime, but later recanted their confessions, saying they were coerced by police. DNA evidence later proved their innocence.