In the context of a court case, what is a confession?

A confession, in the context of a court case, refers to an admission of guilt where an individual acknowledges that they have committed a crime. This statement is usually made voluntarily and can be a critical piece of evidence in legal proceedings. Confessions can significantly impact a case, as they may lead to convictions or plea deals based on the individual's acceptance of responsibility for their actions.

Witness statements, while important, pertain to observations made by individuals regarding events or circumstances relevant to a case but do not imply an admission of guilt. Similarly, assumptions made by a judge do not constitute confessions; these are legal interpretations or decisions made in the course of a trial and are distinct from the concept of a confession in which the accused takes responsibility for a crime.