2010 Pennsylvania Code
Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES
Chapter 3 - Culpability
309 - Duress.

     § 309.  Duress.
        (a)  General rule.--It is a defense that the actor engaged in
     the conduct charged to constitute an offense because he was
     coerced to do so by the use of, or a threat to use, unlawful
     force against his person or the person of another, which a
     person of reasonable firmness in his situation would have been
     unable to resist.
        (b)  Exception.--The defense provided by subsection (a) of
     this section is unavailable if the actor recklessly placed
     himself in a situation in which it was probable that he would be
     subjected to duress. The defense is also unavailable if he was
     negligent in placing himself in such a situation, whenever
     negligence suffices to establish culpability for the offense
     charged.

        Cross References.  Section 309 is referred to in section 9711
     of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.