In the scenario of Duress by Circumstances, what motivates Y to rob the bank?

In the context of duress by circumstances, the concept is defined by the idea that a person commits an unlawful act because they believe they are in imminent danger, often of serious harm or death. When examining the option where Y is motivated to rob the bank due to fear of imminent death, it highlights the core tenet of duress: an individual is compelled to act against their will due to external pressures that threaten their safety or life.

In such cases, the legal framework recognizes that the individual’s decision-making ability is severely impaired due to the acute nature of the threat they perceive. The urgency and immediacy of their fear override rational consideration, guiding them to commit acts that they would not otherwise contemplate, such as robbery. This scenario emphasizes the necessity for the law to assess not just the actions taken but the mindset and context of the individual at the time of the offense.

Other options involve different motivations such as financial hardship or peer pressure, but these do not fulfill the critical requirement of immediate peril that characterizes duress by circumstances. The legal definition and application of duress emphasize that a genuine belief in imminent danger is necessary for this defense to apply, making the fear of imminent death the correct justification in this scenario.