What characterizes a confession?

A confession is characterized as a statement made by an individual acknowledging their involvement in a crime. However, the key aspect of a confession is that while it may indicate guilt and support the charges against the individual, it is not, by itself, definitive proof of guilt. Confessions can sometimes be unreliable or coerced, therefore they typically require corroborating evidence to substantiate the claims made by the confessing individual. This is crucial in legal contexts, as a confession alone, without additional supporting evidence, may not be sufficient to uphold a conviction.

The other options do not accurately capture the nature of a confession; for instance, the idea that it is definitive proof of guilt overlooks the need for additional evidence. Stating that confessions are solely made by witnesses misrepresents the process, as the individual confessing is typically the accused rather than a witness. Lastly, suggesting that a confession must be a formal statement made in court misinterprets a confession's broader context, as it can be made outside court and still have legal significance.