coerced evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coerced evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to evidence obtained through force, intimidation, or pressure, which may be deemed inadmissible in court. Example: "The defense argued that the confession was based on coerced evidence and should not be considered valid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The military tribunals act bars coerced evidence.

The New York Times

Guantánamo prosecutors resigned rather than present cases founded on coerced evidence.

The New York Times

The volume of coerced evidence in the Sept. 11 conspiracy case will make trial in any forum challenging.

The Washington Post

Now, they have agreed to allow it if a judge finds it reliable (which coerced evidence hardly can be) and relevant to guilt or innocence.

The New York Times

Moreover, the allowances for the use of hearsay and coerced evidence have been eliminated by the Military Commissions Act of 2009.

The New York Times

"Legacy of Torture" (editorial, Aug. 27) rightly notes that court rulings rejecting coerced evidence may "help repair this country's battered reputation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Issues of a coerced confession, evidence tampering, prosecutorial misconduct and inept attorney representation brought public attention to the case, but it still hasn't been resolved.

The New York Times

There was fabricated evidence, coerced testimony and a generally slipshod trial -- all things that legal experts say are not as uncommon as they ought to be here.

The New York Times

Senators John McCain, John Warner, and Lindsey Graham, whose alternative proposal would ban the tribunals from admitting coerced or secret evidence, will either stand up to their party leaders or find a way to declare technical victory while caving in.

The New Yorker

They limit coerced or hearsay evidence and provide greater equity in resources to the defense counsel.

HuffPost

She laughed when asked whether she had been coerced into giving evidence.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal proceedings, clarify the specific methods of coercion used to obtain the "coerced evidence" to strengthen your argument and provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "coerced evidence" when the evidence was simply influenced by persuasive arguments or incentives, rather than force, threats, or other forms of duress. "Coercion" implies a lack of free will.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coerced evidence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'coerced' acts as an adjective modifying 'evidence'. It is used to describe the nature of the evidence and indicate its potential unreliability due to the manner in which it was obtained, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coerced evidence" is a phrase used to describe evidence obtained through force, threats, or other forms of duress, rendering its reliability and admissibility questionable in legal settings. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in news and media and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the presence of coercion, differentiating it from mere persuasion or influence. Alternatives such as "forced testimony" or "compelled evidence" may offer nuanced ways to express the same concept. Avoid using this term if the evidence was obtained through non-coercive means.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forced testimony

Focuses on the testimonial aspect of the evidence, emphasizing the lack of willingness.

compelled evidence

Highlights the act of compelling someone to provide the evidence.

extracted evidence

Emphasizes the process of drawing out the evidence, often against someone's will.

involuntarily obtained evidence

Stresses the lack of voluntary participation in providing the evidence.

evidence obtained under duress

Specifies that the evidence was acquired through threats or pressure.

tainted evidence

Highlights the compromised nature of the evidence due to the coercion involved.

fabricated evidence

Focuses on the possible falsification of the evidence as a result of coercion.

evidence from torture

Links the evidence directly to the act of torture used to obtain it.

illegally obtained evidence

Emphasizes the unlawful means used to acquire the evidence.

evidence influenced by intimidation

Highlights the impact of intimidation on the reliability of the evidence.

FAQs

How is "coerced evidence" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "coerced evidence" refers to evidence obtained through force, intimidation, or undue pressure, making it potentially inadmissible in court. It's often challenged on the grounds of violating due process rights.

What are some synonyms for "coerced evidence"?

Alternatives to "coerced evidence" include "forced testimony", "compelled evidence", or "extracted evidence", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of how the evidence was obtained.

What makes "coerced evidence" inadmissible in court?

Evidence is deemed "coerced evidence" and thus inadmissible when it violates fundamental rights, such as the right against self-incrimination or the right to due process. Courts prioritize freely given statements.

How does "coerced evidence" differ from simply influenced evidence?

"Coerced evidence" implies a lack of free will due to threats or force, whereas influenced evidence suggests persuasion or incentives were used. Only evidence obtained without free will is considered "coerced evidence".