Fruit from the Poisonous Tree
/ˈfruːt frəm ði ˈpɔɪzənəs triː/
Definitions
- (n.) Evidence obtained illegally or in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights, which is typically inadmissible in court.
The court excluded the confession because it was considered fruit from the poisonous tree.
- (n.) An evidentiary doctrine extending the exclusionary rule to secondary evidence derived from illegally obtained evidence.
Detectives could not use the drugs found during the search since they were fruit from the poisonous tree.
Forms
- fruit from the poisonous tree
Related terms
See also
Commentary
This doctrine discourages law enforcement from violating constitutional rights by rendering derivative evidence inadmissible. Exceptions may apply, such as the independent source and inevitable discovery doctrines.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.