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voluntary confession rule

Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law

Definitions from Case Law

From 314 U.S. 219 - Lisenba v. People of State of California · 1941Most cited · 2,719 citing opinions

The aim of the rule that a confession is inadmissible unless it was voluntarily made is to exclude false evidence. Tests are invoked to determine whether the inducement to speak was such that there is a fair risk the confession is false. The aim of the requirement of due process is not to exclude presumptively false evidence, but to prevent fundamental unfairness in the use of evidence whether true or false.