Duress involves what condition?

• A. Lack of knowledge of the law
• B. Intentional misrepresentation
• C. Voluntary act under peer pressure
• D. Person compelled under threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury

Answer: (D)

Duress is when a person is compelled to commit a crime because someone threatens them with imminent death or serious bodily harm, and there is no reasonable opportunity to escape. This external coercion is the essential condition that justifies the focus on that threat. The other ideas don’t fit duress: lacking knowledge of the law isn’t a defense, misrepresentation involves deceit, and acting under peer pressure without a threat of harm doesn’t meet the coercion requirement.