evidentiary harpoon

noun

: evidence consisting especially of a police officer's statement that is improper and is knowingly offered by the prosecution to prejudice the defendant in the eyes of the jury

Word History

Etymology

from the comparison of such evidence to a harpoon, which can be retracted after it has injured its target

Dictionary Entries Near evidentiary harpoon

Cite this Entry

“Evidentiary harpoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/evidentiary%20harpoon. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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