17 year old accused of theft lie detector?or no?

[BeckyI]

What is the name of your state? VA
My 17 year old son was accused of stealing over 2500.00 at his school. He has been questioned by police and school officials and claims innocence. Should we allow him to take a lie detector test? He hasn't been charged but is being accused. What do we do? We can't afford a lawyer...Please help?!

 

[gawm]

Do not cooperate with the school or police anymore. Do not make anymore statements and do not participate in the lie detector test. If they have evidence let them charge him. Until then there is nothing else you can do.

 

[xylene]

FOLLOW GAWM'S Advice

What is the name of your state? VA
My 17 year old son was accused of stealing over 2500.00 at his school. He has been questioned by police and school officials and claims innocence. Should we allow him to take a lie detector test? He hasn't been charged but is being accused. What do we do? We can't afford a lawyer...Please help?!

Gawm is spot on. Talk to NO ONE.

Question- Is he being ASKED by the police or school ro submit to a polygraph test?

Or are you suggesting that he volunteer to take such a test to "clear this up"?

DON'T do either!

If police want to do test it shows many things, but most importantly: that they may well be incompetent, and that competency aside they want to railroad your son.

If you are hoping a polygraph will make the police go away - then you are DEAD Wrong.

Only by excersizing your constirtutional rights will this go away. This mean say nothing to the police or school officials.


If your son is arrested he will be appointed an attorney.

Advise your son to remain silent, especially if arrested, and to talk to no one (including others in jail) except his counsel.

 

[stealth2]

I disagree with both of the above posters. Your son DOES need to talk to someone. A lawyer. Like yesterday.

 

[gawm]

I disagree with both of the above posters. Your son DOES need to talk to someone. A lawyer. Like yesterday.

A lawyer won't be able to do anything for him until he is charged. She also stated she cannot afford one right now. They either have enough evidence to charge him or they don't. If they do then a lawyer will be appointed for him and if they don't, he should be alright if he never says anything about this situation to anybody again.

 

[stealth2]

They can't afford not to have a lawyer. Anything else is standing with asses exposed while their heads are in the sand.

 

[gawm]

They can't afford not to have a lawyer. Anything else is standing with asses exposed while their heads are in the sand.

What can a lawyer do for them right now? Until he is charged there is nothing a lawyer can do except tell him not to talk to police.