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 VOLUME 11 - CHAPTER 254
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254.1 Duress/Coercion

    254.1.3 Duress/Coercion: Reasonable Person Standard

    254.1.3.1 Duress/Coercion: Objective Reasonable Person Standard
    254.1.3.2 Duress/Coercion: Battered Person Syndrome Evidence Relevant

FORECITE National™
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 VOLUME 11 - CHAPTER 254

PRACTICE NOTE: The test of whether or not the defense of duress exists is an objective one, not a subjective one. (U.S. v. Willis (5th Cir. 1994) 38 F3d 170, 176; see also State v. Varszegi (CT 1996) 673 A2d 90, 99; 5TH CIRCUIT PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS - CRIMINAL 1.36 [Justification, Duress Or Coercion], note (1997).)  The threat must induce a well-founded fear in a reasonable person. (Cook and Hermann, Criminal Defense Checklist (West, 1998 ed.) § 3.02(5), p. 128.)

    See also FORECITE National™ Chapter 48 [Objective Unreasonableness (Reasonable Person Standard)].

See generally, FORECITE National™ 254.1.1.8 [Duress/Coercion:  Federal Circuit Model Instructions].

FORECITE National™
Instructions And Issues Omitted By The Pattern Instructions
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 VOLUME 11 - CHAPTER 254

PRACTICE NOTE: Because duress requires objective reasonableness (see FORECITE National™ 254.1.3.1 [Duress/Coercion: Objective Reasonable Person Standard]), battered person syndrome evidence may be relevant and require special defense theory instructions. (See generally FORECITE National™ 256.1.2 [Battered Person Syndrome: Challenge To Required Objective Mental State Under On Reasonable Person Standard].)

    See also generally FORECITE National™ Chapter 250 [Defenses And Defense Theories: General Issues].

See generally, FORECITE National™ 254.1.1.8 [Duress/Coercion:  Federal Circuit Model Instructions].