compurgation

Compurgation is a legal term that refers to the act of a person confessing to a crime they did not commit in order to avoid punishment for a crime they did commit. The term is derived from the Latin words "com" meaning "with" and "purgatio" meaning "purification." It is a form of self-incrimination, where an individual confesses to a lesser or different crime to avoid the more severe punishment for the actual crime.

Compurgation is a defense mechanism used in criminal law to mitigate the severity of a sentence. It is often employed when the accused has a strong motive to confess to a lesser crime, such as to avoid the death penalty or to secure a lighter sentence. The defense is based on the principle that a confession to a lesser crime is preferable to a confession to the actual crime, as it reduces the risk of a harsher punishment.

The effectiveness of compurgation as a defense mechanism varies by jurisdiction. In some legal systems, it may be accepted as a valid defense, while in others, it may be rejected or treated with skepticism. The admissibility of a compurgation defense often depends on the circumstances surrounding the confession and the credibility of the accused's explanation.

In summary, compurgation is a legal strategy where an individual confesses to a lesser or different crime to avoid punishment for a more serious offense. Its acceptance and effectiveness as a defense vary across different legal systems and depend on the specific circumstances of each case.