MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

True or False: A confession must be in writing to be valid.

1. True

2. False

3. Only in homicide cases

4. Depends on jurisdiction

The correct answer is: False

A confession does not need to be in writing to be considered valid. In many legal contexts, an oral confession is admissible in court and can carry just as much weight as a written one. The key requirement is that the confession is made voluntarily and with an understanding of the implications, rather than the form it takes. Moreover, the legality and admissibility of confessions can vary based on jurisdiction, but the notion that a confession must be written is not a universal requirement. Oral confessions have been accepted in numerous cases, assuming they are collected in accordance with the law, such as not being coerced and being appropriately recorded if legal standards require it. In summary, the validity of a confession hinges more on its circumstances and adherence to legal standards rather than whether it is documented in writing.