Even though I have given a confession, is that enough to convict me?
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Even though I have given a confession, is that enough to convict me?
I confessed to a committing the charge of discharge
of a firearm I am currently going to court to face
consequences. I read that under Corpus Delicti that
my confession alone can not be the reason for
conviction that they need hard evidence. Is that
true?
Asked on July 18, 2019 under Criminal Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
That is not in any way true--people can be and have been convicted based solely on a confession, so long as it appears that you were mentally sound when you gave it and were not coerced or threatened (e.g. with violence or blackmail) to give it. All that is required is that the confession be sufficient to establish that the crime occured and you committed it. So, say that you have a firearm, or someone saw you with one on that day; someone heard or saw a firearm discharge; and you confessed that it was you. That is enough without "hard evidence," such as gunpowder residue on you.
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