Do people confess to crimes they didn’t commit? 

On Behalf of | Nov 2, 2022 | Criminal Defense

If a person is facing criminal charges then it means that law enforcement and the prosecution have evidence against them. One of, if not the most compelling piece of evidence is a confession. This consists of the accused accepting liability for the criminal offense. 

But there may be more to confessions than first meets the eye. Is it possible that someone could confess to a crime that they did not commit? In short, the answer is yes, and here’s why. 

When a person is backed into a corner 

Interrogations are rarely pleasant for those on the receiving end, but they are a part of most criminal investigations. Nonetheless, law enforcement must conduct these procedures appropriately. Physical force should not be used during interrogations and the same can be said for psychological abuse.

There have been occasions where an accused person has feared for their life or safety and subsequently confessed. This is often the result of being told it will all end if they will just sign a confession and they can go home, which will probably not be the case. 

When the accused is vulnerable 

To be culpable criminally, an individual must have the appropriate mental capacity. This means that they should not only have committed the crime but understand what they have done as well as the proceedings that are happening around that crime.

All accused parties are innocent until proven guilty, and there have been occasions where someone with a lack of mental capacity has confessed to crimes that they did not commit.   

Coerced confessions are just one reason why it’s so important not to face criminal charges on your own. Having legal guidance will help ensure that your rights are upheld at all times.