When dealing with an intoxicated individual, what must a defendant prove for a confession to be considered involuntary?

For a confession to be considered involuntary in the context of an intoxicated individual, it is essential to establish that the individual's level of intoxication impaired their ability to understand the meaning of their words. This is pivotal because a voluntary confession must be the result of the individual's free will and rational comprehension. If an individual is so intoxicated that they cannot grasp the implications of what they are saying or the nature of the confession, this undermines the validity of the confession in a legal context.

The focus is on the mental state of the individual at the time of the confession—specifically, their capacity to comprehend their actions and statements. Proving that intoxication interfered with understanding is crucial in establishing that the confession was not made voluntarily, as true voluntariness requires a clear and rational understanding of both the rights and consequences involved in making a confession. This principle protects individuals from being coerced or manipulated into providing statements when they are not in a sound state of mind.