What is the name of your state? PA -- My son is one of a few minors being questioned in an investigation regarding a local robbery of some vending machines. MY question and concerns regard them wanting to take this further, having NO other evidence and having already questioned my son IN FRONT of me with my persmission (informally at my home) thus far, Have not contacted an attorney - didn't feel it was necessary -- they asked us during this informal questioning would he be willing to take a POLYGRAPH -- I know they ask this all the time from what I read -- I personally have never been investigated to be asked this -- My son said Yes. I think people automatically want to say yes as saying NO may make them look guilty - HOWEVER, here's why I am here -- people tend to get nervous around cops period - I do and I can say the most trouble I've gotten in with the law is not paying a parking ticket - or not having the money to pay a FINE -- we all know how they want that MONEY! Anyway, he has been in trouble at school with fights and stuff where today they automatically call the police -- NO more of the old days where the schools handle fights on their own, automatically the cops are called and these kids are FINED -- yes, fined-- we all know that most kids can't afford fines, so they're really fining the parents for something they cannot take control in as it happens outside the home -- I really had problems with that but there's nothing ME not liking it can do - I just can't begin to tell you how TODAY things are VERY different from when we grew up (those of us that schooled in 70's and 80's)
TODAY THEY SAID THEY ARE GOING TO DO THE POLYGRAPHS -- this after telling us they weren't sure they'd be approved - but they have no evidence and they're grasping for something -- So they didn't ask, they just said someone would contact me this week to SET UP my son's polygraph -
ONE, CAN YOU REFUSE A POLYGRAPH? 2, IF YOU CAN, DO THEY CONSIDER YOU GUILTY IF YOU REFUSE? iF YOU CAN'T REfuse, and from what I read, polygraphs ARE NOT admissible in court, why take one? If it can't be used in court that is? And, are they used for SIMPLE guilt or both guilt and innocense. Meaning, if my son passes, are they likely to close the investigation on him? Deos it eliminate someone as equally as CONVICTS someone? Understand my concerns? Finally, he's under 18 -- does he have any rights that differ from adults regarding "polygraphs" and as a parent, how can I protect him -- is this something I should now call a lawyer about -- ?
HELP me - please~ any advice appreciated!
Kim, YORK COUNTY, Pennsylvania
TODAY THEY SAID THEY ARE GOING TO DO THE POLYGRAPHS -- this after telling us they weren't sure they'd be approved - but they have no evidence and they're grasping for something -- So they didn't ask, they just said someone would contact me this week to SET UP my son's polygraph -
ONE, CAN YOU REFUSE A POLYGRAPH? 2, IF YOU CAN, DO THEY CONSIDER YOU GUILTY IF YOU REFUSE? iF YOU CAN'T REfuse, and from what I read, polygraphs ARE NOT admissible in court, why take one? If it can't be used in court that is? And, are they used for SIMPLE guilt or both guilt and innocense. Meaning, if my son passes, are they likely to close the investigation on him? Deos it eliminate someone as equally as CONVICTS someone? Understand my concerns? Finally, he's under 18 -- does he have any rights that differ from adults regarding "polygraphs" and as a parent, how can I protect him -- is this something I should now call a lawyer about -- ?
HELP me - please~ any advice appreciated!
Kim, YORK COUNTY, Pennsylvania