Jo,

It sounds to me like you're begging the question. 8 )

In the interests of providing some clarity in regard to "correct" usage, here's an example as provided by columnist James Kilpatrick:

"Suppose that a young man from a prominent family is charged with raping a young woman in Palm Beach. A friend of the woman asks what punishment should be imposed upon the defendant, thus begging the question of the defendant's guilt."

Some usage guides recommend that the phrase be avoided altogether, since logic is no longer a typical course of study (or a typical capability ;).