Can the Police Make Me Take a Polygraph?
Imagine finding yourself in a small, confined room, where the police strap wires around you and attach various devices to monitor your physiological responses. They proceed to interrogate you intensely, insisting that you must "tell the truth." You might think this scenario only exists in movies, but it happens right here in Minnesota. If you are facing serious criminal charges and the police attempt to coerce you into taking a polygraph or "lie detector" test, it is crucial to seek advice from an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney. It is even better if the lawyer is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and has dealt with polygraphs before.
"If the police tell you they have a lie detector, they are lying. It doesn’t exist.”
What is a Polygraph and How Does it Work?
A polygraph is a machine that supposedly measures and records multiple physiological responses to determine a person's emotional state, not truth or falsehood. These responses include:
Blood pressure and heart rate.
Respiratory or breathing rate.
Skin conductance (sweating).
Muscle activity during the interrogation.
However, the polygraph is based on questionable science. It does not differentiate between truth and lies, and as such, polygraph results are not admissible in Court in Minnesota but if the police can trick an admission out of you, that admission might be.
The polygrapher will attach various devices to your body, such as a Cardiosphygmograph (blood pressure cuff), a Pneumograph (flexible tube around your chest), and Galvanograph electrodes (attached to your fingers). Despite the seemingly scientific setup, these devices do not conclusively prove whether you are lying or telling the truth. The machine merely generates squiggly lines that indicate changes in physiological responses, but these changes do not definitively indicate deception.
The purpose of the polygraph is to extract information, and the polygrapher uses it as a tool to do so. They begin with a series of baseline questions and then gradually intensify their interrogation, often mentioning deception to push you further. However, due to its lack of scientific validity, polygraph results are inadmissible in court.
Because the police frequently use the polygraph as a threat, it becomes a tool of coercion and intimidation. Their aim is to elicit confessions or admissions that align with their preconceived theory of the case, regardless of your actual involvement. However, such tactics may lead to successful suppression of any statements made during the polygraph process.
“The polygrapher is not a medical professional but rather a trained interrogator.”
As a former CIA Officer who has faced the polygraph many times, I strongly hold my opinions on this device. The polygrapher is not a medical professional but rather a trained interrogator who leverages the machine as a psychological tool. If you have encountered the polygraph and are now facing charges, it is essential to consult with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney. This decision matters.
Choose the Best Representation
Jack Rice, a well-respected criminal defense attorney, nationally known and based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a former prosecutor and CIA Officer. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. If you need assistance, contact Jack Rice Defense for a free and confidential consultation. Call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339. When your life is on the line, Jack Rice Defense.