“I Confessed to a Crime I Didn’t Commit. I Had No Choice.”
To most people, the idea of falsely confessing to a crime seems unbelievable. Why would anyone admit to something they didn’t do—especially a serious crime like murder or assault?
But the truth is, false confessions happen far more often than people realize. And they destroy lives.
29% of DNA exonerations involve false confessions.
Many of these cases involve juveniles, people with mental disabilities, or those who were pressured by police.
Many confessions are obtained after hours—or even days—of brutal interrogation.
False confessions are NOT proof of guilt. They are proof of a broken system.
Why Do Innocent People Confess?
Police Interrogation Tactics
Law enforcement is trained to break people down in interrogations. They use psychological pressure, tricks, and outright lies.
They tell suspects that “confessing will make things easier.”
They lie, saying there is overwhelming evidence—even when there isn’t.
They deprive suspects of sleep, food, and bathroom breaks.
Coercion & Fear
After hours of interrogation, people just want it to stop. They believe that if they confess, they can go home.
Juveniles & Mentally Vulnerable Suspects
Young people and individuals with cognitive disabilities are especially at risk. They are more likely to trust police and believe false promises.
The Devastating Consequences of False Confessions
Once a confession is given, it’s almost impossible to take back.
Judges and juries believe confessions—even when they don’t match the facts.
Prosecutors ignore DNA or witness evidence that contradicts the confession.
Wrongfully convicted individuals spend decades in prison or even face execution.
This is not justice. This is a crisis.
We must fight to change the way interrogations are conducted.
Demand that all police interrogations be recorded.
Support laws that ban coercive tactics.
Help organizations that fight wrongful convictions.
False confessions don’t just affect the innocent. They let the real criminals go free.
