Poisoning the Well
/ˈpɔɪzənɪŋ ðə wɛl/
Definitions
- (n.) A logical fallacy and informal fallacy wherein adverse information about a target is preemptively presented to an audience to discredit or bias them against the target.
The lawyer's opening remarks amounted to poisoning the well against the witness before testimony began.
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Commentary
In legal argumentation, poisoning the well can undermine impartiality, thus counsel should avoid prejudicial statements that could be deemed unfair or improper.
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.