Changes

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Confession.jpg|right|frame]]

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Confession.jpg|right|frame]]

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 a : an [[act]] of confessing; especially : a disclosure of one's [[sins]] in the sacrament of [[reconciliation]]  

*1 a : an [[act]] of confessing; especially : a disclosure of one's [[sins]] in the sacrament of [[reconciliation]]  

In the [[law]] of [[criminal]] [[evidence]], a '''confession''' is a [[statement]] by a suspect in [[crime]] which is adverse to that [[person]].

In the [[law]] of [[criminal]] [[evidence]], a '''confession''' is a [[statement]] by a suspect in [[crime]] which is adverse to that [[person]].

This specific [[form]] of [[testimony]], involving oneself, is used as a [[form]] of [[proof]] in [[judicial]] matters, this since at least the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition Inquisition]. The [[value]] of confessions, however, are [[discussed]], and [[law]] generally request cross-checking them with objective [[facts]] and others [[forms]] of [[evidence]] (exhibits, testimonies from witnesses, etc.) in order to determine their [[truth]] [[value]]. Confessions were first [[developed]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church Roman Catholic Church] under the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrament_of_Penance_(Catholic_Church) Sacrament of Penance], where the confession of a [[sin]] is considered to be enough to absolve oneself. This aspect concerning [[moral]] [[guilt]] has been carried on in various [[legislative]] codes, in which a criminal is considered worse if he does not confess to his crimes.

This specific [[form]] of [[testimony]], involving oneself, is used as a [[form]] of [[proof]] in [[judicial]] matters, this since at least the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition Inquisition]. The [[value]] of confessions, however, are [[discussed]], and [[law]] generally request cross-checking them with objective [[facts]] and others [[forms]] of [[evidence]] (exhibits, testimonies from witnesses, etc.) in order to determine their [[truth]] [[value]]. Confessions were first [[developed]] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church Roman Catholic Church] under the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrament_of_Penance_(Catholic_Church) Sacrament of Penance], where the confession of a [[sin]] is considered to be enough to absolve oneself. This aspect concerning [[moral]] [[guilt]] has been carried on in various [[legislative]] codes, in which a criminal is considered worse if he does not confess to his crimes.

On the other hand, confessions obtained under [[torture]] have often been considered as not [[objective]] enough, since the use of such means may lead to the suspect in confessing anything. Even without [[torture]], various cases of averred [[false]] confessions [[demonstrate]] that, in itself, one man's confession is not a sufficient [[proof]]. False [[memory]] (including memory biases, etc.) or [[privileges]] granted under [[plea]] bargaining might lead to such [[false]] confessions.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confession_%28law%29]

On the other hand, confessions obtained under [[torture]] have often been considered as not [[objective]] enough, since the use of such means may lead to the suspect in confessing anything. Even without [[torture]], various cases of averred [[false]] confessions [[demonstrate]] that, in itself, one man's confession is not a sufficient [[proof]]. False [[memory]] (including memory biases, etc.) or [[privileges]] granted under [[plea]] bargaining might lead to such [[false]] confessions.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confession_%28law%29]

[[Category: Law]]

[[Category: Law]]