v. in criminal law, to voluntarily state that one is guilty of a criminal offense.
This admission may be made to a law enforcement officer or in court either prior
to or upon arrest, or after the person is charged with a specific crime. A confession
must be truly voluntary (not forced by threat, torture, or trickery) and cannot
be admitted in trial unless the defendant has been given the so-called Miranda warnings
at the time of arrest or when it is clear he/she is the prime suspect, all based
on the Fifth Amendment prohibition against self-incrimination. The Miranda warnings
are the right to remain silent, the right to have an attorney present and that one
can be appointed, and that his/her statements may be used against the defendant
in court.
See also Bill of Rights confession Miranda warning self-incrimination
law dictionary, legal
dictionary, online law dictionary, legal terms dictionary,
online legal dictionary, legal definition, legal
terms and definition, Best online Dictionary, Law
Dictionary Software, Download Law Dictionary, law
dictionary, legal dictionary, online law dictionary,
legal terms dictionary, online legal dictionary,
legal definition, legal terms and definition, Best
online Dictionary, Law Dictionary Software, Download
Law Dictionary
