Should I Take a Lie Detector Test ?
BURBANK LAW FIRM
CRIMINAL LAW EXCLUSIVELY
2600 West Olive Avenue
Burbank California 91505
Toll Free 1-877-617-4485
2600 West Olive Avenue
Burbank California 91505
Toll Free 1-877-617-4485
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The question of whether one should take a lie detector test is one asked of
many people suspected by the police of committing a criminal offense. Often,
a police detective will ask a suspect to submit to a polygraph test in order to
"get their side of the story". In my experience, having been a criminal defense
attorney for well over a decade, the police usually use the request to submit
to a polygraph as a ruse to simply question the individual in a controlled
setting. The purpose is not to get to the "truth" or determine whether the
person is lying, the office usually already knows that. Having an individual
take a lie detector test allows statements to be obtained and permits the
detective to lock the person in to a particular story.
Most experienced criminal defense attorneys and other Lawyers will advise a
client to not take a polygraph at the request of police. Instead, the detective
should be asked to allow the suspect, through his or her attorney, to choose
an independent polygrapher and conduct their own test and submit the
results to the police.
Another option is to request that the results be admissible in Court through a
stipulation of the criminal defense Lawyer and the local District Attorney.
The bottom line is they will usually not agree to these terms but it gives the
criminal suspect a polite "out" to refuse to submission of the polygraph.
The machines themselves are not known to be reliable and therefore are not
otherwise admissible in a criminal case. The devices are subject to
manipulation by the examiner and are very subjective in terms of the results.
A machine can be manipulated by artful questioning and careful preparation
of the subject. An experienced criminal defense lawyer familiar with all the
issues should be retained immediately if a person has been alleged to have
committed a criminal offense.
The pros and cons of submitting to a polygraph should be discussed with the
individual's criminal defense attorney.
many people suspected by the police of committing a criminal offense. Often,
a police detective will ask a suspect to submit to a polygraph test in order to
"get their side of the story". In my experience, having been a criminal defense
attorney for well over a decade, the police usually use the request to submit
to a polygraph as a ruse to simply question the individual in a controlled
setting. The purpose is not to get to the "truth" or determine whether the
person is lying, the office usually already knows that. Having an individual
take a lie detector test allows statements to be obtained and permits the
detective to lock the person in to a particular story.
Most experienced criminal defense attorneys and other Lawyers will advise a
client to not take a polygraph at the request of police. Instead, the detective
should be asked to allow the suspect, through his or her attorney, to choose
an independent polygrapher and conduct their own test and submit the
results to the police.
Another option is to request that the results be admissible in Court through a
stipulation of the criminal defense Lawyer and the local District Attorney.
The bottom line is they will usually not agree to these terms but it gives the
criminal suspect a polite "out" to refuse to submission of the polygraph.
The machines themselves are not known to be reliable and therefore are not
otherwise admissible in a criminal case. The devices are subject to
manipulation by the examiner and are very subjective in terms of the results.
A machine can be manipulated by artful questioning and careful preparation
of the subject. An experienced criminal defense lawyer familiar with all the
issues should be retained immediately if a person has been alleged to have
committed a criminal offense.
The pros and cons of submitting to a polygraph should be discussed with the
individual's criminal defense attorney.
Burbank Criminal Defense Lawyers available to answer your questions about polygraph tests, whether you should
speak to the police about criminal charges and if and when to get serious about investigations focused on you. Our
Law Firm defends cases in Burbank, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Torrance, Glendale, Alhambra, and the San Fernando
Valley, including Criminal Attorneys in Van Nuys. Call or e-mail us today for a free no nonsense consultation about
your legal rights and the limits of police power. Our Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys have the necessary
experience to protect you from abusive police practices and illegal interrogations.
speak to the police about criminal charges and if and when to get serious about investigations focused on you. Our
Law Firm defends cases in Burbank, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Torrance, Glendale, Alhambra, and the San Fernando
Valley, including Criminal Attorneys in Van Nuys. Call or e-mail us today for a free no nonsense consultation about
your legal rights and the limits of police power. Our Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys have the necessary
experience to protect you from abusive police practices and illegal interrogations.