What is the primary condition of compulsion as a defense?

The primary condition of compulsion as a defense is coercion that forces an individual to act against their will. This means that a person is driven to commit an act due to significant pressure or threats from an outside source, which deprives them of the ability to make their own choices. In legal terms, compulsion acknowledges that under extreme duress, an individual may lack the necessary intent or volition to fully be held accountable for their actions.

For instance, if someone is threatened with immediate physical harm if they do not commit a crime, the defense of compulsion could be invoked, as their action—though illegal—was not a product of their own volition but rather an act of submission to coercive pressure. This understanding is critical in distinguishing between voluntary actions and those performed under duress, reinforcing the principle that culpability requires a degree of free will that compulsion disrupts.