What is it called when someone suspects an outlawed behavior has been committed so asks for confessions?
<p>I am looking for a legal term in the case where a particular behavior is outlawed. The governing body suspects someone has conducted the behavior but has no proof. The governing body then addresses the population and says “we know who did said behavior, but we want to give that person a chance to come forward. If you come forward, your punishment will be reduced”.</p>
<p>What is this called when the illusion of evidence prompts a confession?</p>

<p>In the UK this is just called &quot;an appeal for the suspect to come forward.&quot;</p>
<p>The UK police are not allowed to lie or mislead as suggested in the OP, and any reduction in punishment is in the hands of the courts when passing sentence (unlike some other jurisdictions, I believe).</p>

legal-terms