Yes and No. Polygraphs are not admissible in court unless there is a stipulation by the parties to have them admitted. DO NOT STIPULATE.

Innocent people fail polygraphs and guilty people pass them. This can and does happen. That is one of the reasons they are not admissible in court without a stipulation.

Even though they are not perfect, I suggest that you have your client take a private polygraph. The results do not need to be disclosed unless you want them to be.

Obviously, if your client passes the private polygraph shout the results from the rooftops. If he/she fails or if any results are inconclusive, bury them.

In some, but certainly not all cases, I have had prosecutors either dismiss or agree not to file charges when my client has a favorable result.

I also file motions with the court to have a favorable polygraph admissible in the proceedings. Even though the motion is routinely denied, it can’t hurt you that the Judge is aware your client passed a polygraph.

One caution about polygraphs: If a client has a failed or inconclusive result, the polygrapher will often try to interview your client to find out the “truth”. Make sure you advise your client and the operator that there is to be no interview after the test. Also, you only want a written report if your client has passed the test.