6.5 Duress, Coercion or Compulsion (Legal Excuse) is an excuse in criminal law that a person can use to justify their actions if they were forced to do so by another person. It is a form of defense which claims that the accused was under such pressure that it would have been impossible for them to act in any other way. This means that they did not have any other reasonable option than to act as they did, and therefore should not be held criminally liable for their actions. The three main types of duress, coercion, or compulsion are physical, psychological, and legal. Physical duress is when a person is compelled to act by physical force or the threat of physical force. This could be a physical attack or threat of physical attack, or even the threat of being kidnapped or held against one’s will. Psychological duress is when a person is compelled to act by emotional or mental pressure. This could be the threat of harm to oneself or a loved one, or the threat of extreme embarrassment or humiliation. Legal duress is when a person is compelled to act by a lawful authority, such as a court order. This could be a court order to pay a debt or to comply with a certain law. In all cases, a person must be able to prove that they were under duress, coercion, or compulsion in order for it to be accepted as a legal excuse.