Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

As used in this section, the term “confession” means any confession of guilt of any criminal offense or any self-incriminating statement made or given orally or in writing. (law.cornell.edu)

Significantly, as Chief Justice John Marshall wrote in 1833, the decision to accept a pardon is an admission of guilt. (The Washington Post)

Passmore had also prepared a letter to the victims expressing her remorse, but Judge Burn told her "that remorse would have been better demonstrated by an admission of guilt". (BBC News)