Under compulsion by a threat of force, choose the statement that correctly reflects defense status for Class C misdemeanors.

• A. Compulsion is never a defense for any offense.
• B. Compulsion is a defense only for felonies.
• C. Compulsion is not a defense if the threat was credible.
• D. Compulsion is a defense to criminal liability.

Answer: (D)

Duress, or compulsion by threat, can excuse criminal liability when someone commits a crime because they are forced to do so by a threat of imminent death or serious bodily harm, and they reasonably believe there is no safe alternative. This defense can apply to offenses of varying seriousness, including Class C misdemeanors, as long as the person did not place themselves in the situation and the threat was real and imminent.

That’s why the correct statement positions compulsion as a defense to criminal liability. The other options don’t fit: compulsion is not universally unavailable (it’s not limited to felonies); the defense isn’t negated simply because the threat was credible (credibility can support the feasibility of the claim); and it’s not correct to say compulsion is never a defense.