A confession to a crime seems like a pretty solid piece of evidence, but there are times a confession can be tossed out of court.

Courts are very picky about what statements will be permitted as evidence if they’re made outside the courtroom. Not only that, but there are certain kinds of statements that are legally protected and can’t be used against you.

In run-ins with police, it’s generally best to keep your mouth shut until you’ve talked to an attorney. But for the curious, here are some common situations in which confessions can’t be admitted in court:

Related Resources:

  • Etan Patz Case: When Must You Report a Confession? (FindLaw’s Blotter)
  • Church Confessions Admissible in Court? (FindLaw’s Blotter)
  • Man Makes Deathbed Confession, Then Recovers (FindLaw’s Blotter)

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