The heresy trials conducted by the Inquisition were used as models for the witchcraft trials, as witchcraft was charged as heresy because it was believe the accused had turned their back on god. At the trials a great deal of emphasis was placed on the supposed confessions, with little value on proof and so people were convicted on flimsy circumstantial evidence.
Little or no help was given to the accused at a trial and they were guilty until proven otherwise. It was common for the lawyers representing the accused to be refused entry to the courtroom so the accused often had to speak for themselves. The witnesses for defense were often not even allowed into the courtroom. Although, not many defense witnesses spoke up in defense of an accused witch as it would likely result with a charge of witchcraft being made against the witness. Any witnesses called to speak for the prosecution had the right to remain anonymous, so it was hard for the accused to reply to their evidence. Perjurers, children under ten and excommunicates ( people who were forbidden to give evidence in all other trials ) were permitted and encouraged to testify in trials.
The value that was placed upon the confession did not do much to discourage the hysteria since those who were forced to make a confession in regard to their associates simply named anyone whom came to mind. People lived in fear of having someone that they knew being one of the accused and lived in terror that the authorities would call on them with the accusation of being involved in witchcraft. With the number of people named in �voluntary confessions� as associates, the number of trials and therefore convictions, as the courts almost always obtained a conviction, were quite substantial, often resulting in mass slaughter.
As most of the accused did not confess heartily the courts resorted to methods of torture to obtain these confessions.
