If a police officer asks you to take a polygraph test, should you agree to take test?

Absolutely not.

Polygraph results are not admissible in Indiana criminal courts as polygraphs have been determined to be scientifically unreliable and may unduly influence a jury, resulting in a skewed verdict to the trial. Even the mention that a person took a polygraph is prohibited.

At Vonderheide and Knecht, we have frequently seen that after a person agrees to take a polygraph test, the police officer performing the test will tell the person that they have failed the test and then obtains a confession from the person. While the results of the test itself may not be admissible in court, statements made by the defendant before or after the polygraph examination are admissible, including a statement when confronted with the results.

On the other hand, we have on occasion been able to obtain the dismissal of criminal charges when we have provided to the State the results of a client’s passed polygraph test results that was conducted by a private polygraph examiner. Before agreeing to take a polygraph test, you should retain experienced criminal defense attorneys like those at Vonderheide & Knecht to determine if taking the test is in your best interests.

Vonderheide & Knecht: Serving Lafayette’s Legal Needs Since 1992.