Duress

Definition
In most jurisdictions, the defense of duress is available to someone facing criminal charges where they can show that they were subject to an imminent danger and that they broke the law to avoid some greater evil. The defense is also an admission of guilt as to the acts of a crime but not to the mental state, or intent, required. Also, in order to be eligible for this defense, the imminent danger imposed on the actor cannot be the result of any reckless or negligent behavior of their own.