FRUIT-OF-THE-POISONOUS-TREE DOCTRINE

fruit-of-the-poisonous-tree doctrine.Criminal procedure. The rule that evidence derived from

an illegal search, arrest, or interrogation is inadmissible because the evidence (the “fruit”) was

tainted by the illegality (the “poisonous tree”). • Under this doctrine, for example, a murder

weapon is inadmissible if the map showing its location and used to find it was seized during an

illegal search. — Also termed fruits doctrine. See EXCLUSIONARY RULE; ATTENUATION

DOCTRINE; INDEPENDENT-SOURCE RULE; INEVITABLE-DISCOVERY RULE. [Cases:

Criminal Law 394.1(3). C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 771, 773–775.][Blacks Law 8th]