Legal Definitions - pettifogger

Definition: A pettifogger is a lawyer who lacks education, ability, sound judgment, or common sense. They often cloud an issue with insignificant details, making it difficult to understand.

Examples:

• A lawyer who argues over the placement of a comma instead of addressing the main issue at hand is a pettifogger.
• During the trial, the pettifogger kept bringing up irrelevant information to confuse the jury.

These examples illustrate how a pettifogger can distract from the main issue by focusing on insignificant details. This can make it difficult for others to understand the case and can be frustrating for those involved.