What is a "confession" in legal terms?

In legal terms, a "confession" refers to an acknowledgment of all elements of a crime by an individual. This means that the person admits not only to the act itself but also to the intent behind it, recognizing their involvement in the offense fully and clearly. This is pivotal in legal scenarios because a confession can serve as strong evidence against a defendant in court, indicating their guilt and understanding of the crime in question.

The other choices do not align with the legal definition of a confession. A denial of all charges describes a situation where an individual is refusing to accept responsibility for any wrongdoing. A partial admission of facts only acknowledges certain aspects but does not fully embrace the entire context of the crime, which does not meet the legal definition of a confession. Lastly, a claim of innocence involves asserting that one has not committed the alleged crime, which directly contradicts the essence of a confession.