News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Accused spy Alexander Yuk Ching Ma evidently beat the polygraph. Parent comment

Re:Accused spy Alexander Yuk Ching Ma evidently beat the pol... by LatteLazy on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @08:24AM (#24197772)
Partly its that. Partly its about tricking juries, "He failed/refused the polygraph" is a very nice way to discredit someone. At least 5 of the 12 people there will find that concerning and not know its BS.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Accused spy Alexander Yuk Ching Ma evidently beat the pol... by zxcvbn4038 on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @08:58AM (#24198031)
Any lawyers in the house? I was under the impression that (in the US) refusing to take a polygraph was not considered an admission of guilt though could be grounds for dismissal from federal employment.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Accused spy Alexander Yuk Ching Ma evidently beat the pol... by ta17711771 on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @02:56PM (#24202738)
What's legal has nothing to do with swaying a jury.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Accused spy Alexander Yuk Ching Ma evidently beat the pol... by zxcvbn4038 on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @03:59PM (#24203616)
If the opposing side brought up refusing to take a polygraph you would object and ask the judge to explain to the jury why that had to be disregarded, right?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Accused spy Alexander Yuk Ching Ma evidently beat the pol... by jki275 on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @04:27PM (#24203946)
I doubt that any judge would allow that to even be brought up in a trial. If it were, it would probably be an appealable issue that would get the case thrown out.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Accused spy Alexander Yuk Ching Ma evidently beat the pol... by rndgermandude on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @08:39AM (#24197891)
I thought polygraphs are prohibited in courts in most jurisdictions?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Accused spy Alexander Yuk Ching Ma evidently beat the pol... by LatteLazy on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @08:50AM (#24197974)
It's used in criminal courts 19 states and at the federal level by the disgression of the judge. Plus it's used in a bunch of "non-court but legal process" like for people on probation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygraph#United_States

Interestingly (last paragraph of the link above) the US has indicted people for offering to teach other how to beat the test!?

[ Parent | on HN ]