Which circumstance can establish a claim of duress?

Establishing a claim of duress in Georgia law primarily hinges on the presence of a direct threat that coerces an individual to commit a crime. The specific circumstance that solidifies this claim is the coercion an individual faces, such as being compelled to commit a criminal act under the threat of harm. This reflects a situation where the defendant's free will is overcome due to immediate pressure or intimidation, which is critical for a duress defense.

The other choices do not align with the legal definition of duress. Committing a crime for personal gain indicates voluntary action without any coercion, while voluntarily participating in illicit activities implies a conscious decision to engage in crime instead of being forced. Lastly, acting out of fear without a direct threat does not meet the legal criteria for duress since there must be an explicit external threat influencing the decision to commit an unlawful act. Thus, the only correct circumstance for establishing a claim of duress involves being coerced under a direct threat.