Red Herring
/ˌrɛd ˈhɛrɪŋ/
Definitions
- (n.) A misleading or distracting piece of information introduced to divert attention from the relevant issue.
The defendant's lawyer raised a red herring to confuse the jury about the key facts.
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Commonly used in litigation and trial practice to describe tactics that divert scrutiny away from material facts; drafting should focus on clarity to avoid confusion.
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.