# fruit of the poisonous tree

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/fruit-of-the-poisonous-tree
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Evidence that has been obtained as the result of an illegal act on the part of law enforcement personnel (such as an unlawful warrantless search, or continued questioning of a witness who has invoked the right of counsel), and which is therefore excluded from being admitted as evidence in a trial.

## Examples

- The judge threw out the evidence because it was fruit of the poisonous tree.
- The court rejects this testimony because it is fruit of the poisonous tree.
- Lawyers often call illegally obtained photos the fruit of the poisonous tree.
- Because the police searched the house without a warrant, the lawyer argued that the stolen goods were fruit of the poisonous tree.
- Since the initial phone tap was unauthorized, every piece of information the investigators found later was considered fruit of the poisonous tree.
- If the officers enter your apartment without permission, any documents they take become fruit of the poisonous tree and cannot be used against you.
- The defense attorney successfully moved to suppress the confession, arguing that it was fruit of the poisonous tree obtained through an illegal interrogation process.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.