After you are arrested for a crime, you may be asked to take a polygraph test. Before you agree to take the test, you should talk to a criminal law attorney to find out if this is a wise decision to make. Polygraph tests can indicate whether you are telling the truth or not, and this information might end up working against you in your case. Here are three things you should understand about these tests.

The results may be admissible in court

The results of a polygraph test are often admissible in court, but not always. This depends on the state, the type of crime, and the court your case is held in. Your lawyer will be able to tell you if the results would be admissible in court, but you should realize that even if they are not admissible, the results can still be held against you.

Polygraphs can be inaccurate

The second thing to realize is that the results of a polygraph test are not always accurate. These tests base the results on changes in a person's body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The logic behind a polygraph is that there are changes in these things when a person is lying.

Because the results can be faulty, you might end up looking guilty on the test even if you are completely innocent of the crimes. According to People magazine, half of innocent people that take polygraph tests fail.

Refusing the test may also appear bad

You are never legally required to take a polygraph test, even if you are told that you have to; however, there is a downside to refusing the test. If you refuse to take the test, it may make you appear guilty of the crime. Some people believe that there is no reason to refuse a lie detector test if you have nothing to hide. Unfortunately, though, they may not realize that the tests do not offer true, factual results.

You have the legal right to talk to a criminal law attorney before agreeing to take a polygraph, and before you talk about the crime with the police.

If you have criminal charges against you and are being pressured into taking a polygraph test, contact a lawyer before you do anything. Having a good criminal lawyer from the start of your case will help you handle the situation in the best way possible.

For more information, contact Larson, Latham, Huettl Attorneys or a similar firm.

Share