California Private Investigator Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is true about civil courts and polygraph evidence?

1. Civil courts always disregard polygraph results

2. Civil courts may allow polygraph evidence

3. Civil courts require jury consent for polygraph evidence

4. Civil courts only consider evidence presented by law enforcement

The correct answer is: Civil courts may allow polygraph evidence

The statement indicating that civil courts may allow polygraph evidence reflects the flexibility that courts have regarding the admissibility of such evidence. Unlike criminal courts, which have stricter rules regarding the use of lie detector results, civil courts often take a more lenient approach. They may consider polygraph results as part of the overall evidence, depending on the relevance and reliability of the testing method used. The admissibility of polygraph evidence can vary by jurisdiction, and while it is not universally accepted, civil courts may choose to admit it if there are sufficient safeguards around the testing process and the evidence's relevance to the case. Factors like the qualifications of the examiner and the conditions under which the polygraph was administered can influence the court's decision to admit such evidence. This allowance for consideration contrasts with the other statements. They suggest absolute restrictions or specific procedural requirements that do not accurately reflect the flexibility that civil courts have in determining what evidence to admit.