Duress (Coercion) Source: http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/model-criminal-jury-table-contents-and-instructions
Duress (Coercion) is an act of forcing or compelling someone to do something against their will or better judgment by using threats, violence, or other forms of pressure. It is a form of psychological manipulation that can be used in both criminal and civil law contexts. It is a defense to a criminal act, as it can be used to show that the accused was not acting of their own free will. Duress (Coercion) can take many forms, such as psychological, physical, economic, social, or legal. For example, psychological duress can include threats of physical harm, mental abuse, or blackmail; physical duress can involve physical violence; economic duress can involve threats of financial loss; social duress can involve threats of social ostracism; and legal duress can involve the misuse of legal authority. In both criminal and civil law, duress (coercion) can be used as a defense against criminal or civil liability. In criminal law, duress (coercion) can be used to show that the accused was not acting of their own free will, and therefore cannot be held responsible for their actions. In civil law, duress (coercion) can be used to invalidate a contract, as it shows that the parties did not enter into it voluntarily, and therefore it is not legally binding.
Duress (Coercion) is an act of forcing or compelling someone to do something against their will or better judgment by using threats, violence, or other forms of pressure. It is a form of psychological manipulation that can be used in both criminal and civil law contexts. It is a defense to a criminal act, as it can be used to show that the accused was not acting of their own free will. Duress (Coercion) can take many forms, such as psychological, physical, economic, social, or legal. For example, psychological duress can include threats of physical harm, mental abuse, or blackmail; physical duress can involve physical violence; economic duress can involve threats of financial loss; social duress can involve threats of social ostracism; and legal duress can involve the misuse of legal authority. In both criminal and civil law, duress (coercion) can be used as a defense against criminal or civil liability. In criminal law, duress (coercion) can be used to show that the accused was not acting of their own free will, and therefore cannot be held responsible for their actions. In civil law, duress (coercion) can be used to invalidate a contract, as it shows that the parties did not enter into it voluntarily, and therefore it is not legally binding.