DocketXDuress
Duress is when someone is forced to do something they wouldn't normally do because of a serious threat or pressure.
What it actually is
Duress is a legal defense meaning a person acted under an immediate threat of harm or death, leaving no reasonable escape. It can arise in criminal cases (to excuse an illegal act) or contract cases (to void an agreement made under threat). The court examines whether the threat was credible and whether the person had a real alternative.
Why it matters in your case
If you raise duress, it may excuse your conduct or void a contract, but you must prove the threat was serious and imminent. Procedurally, the court will require you to present evidence of the threat and show you had no reasonable way out.
The common misunderstanding
People often think duress is the same as being under financial pressure or emotional stress, but legally it requires a direct threat of serious harm, not just difficulty or discomfort.
Get the actual rule
Definitions are orientation; rules are authority
This page explains the concept. When it matters to your case, read the rule that governs it in your court — we hold Texas, federal and Washington court rules word for word, and every state's official resources are on the state pages. If someone cites a case at you, check that it exists first.
Related
Terms that travel with this one
General explanation, not legal advice, and not specific to any state — procedures and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and court. If you can get a lawyer or free legal aid, do: every real option.