Should I Talk to the Police or Submit to a Polygraph?

Talking to Police and Taking the Polygraph Test

Criminal Defense Lawyers Board-Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Standing as the Voice of Reason to Protect and Defend Texans

Accused of Sex Offenses

Someone who has been wrongfully accused of a sexual offense is often willing—even eager to talk to the police to set matters straight. Naturally, you want to keep your record clear when you are convinced that you are innocent. However, talking to the police about criminal allegations is risky business. The stakes are too high for you to go it alone. Contact a sexual assault criminal defense lawyer to discuss your situation before you get in deeper than you ever expected.

Should I Talk to the Police?

The fact is, sometimes it is effective to talk to the police early in a Texas criminal case, especially when it involves volatile issues such as child rape or abuse. However, we strongly urge you not to talk to anyone without your lawyer present.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer knows when it is appropriate to step forward and supply information to detectives and when it is not. At Stradley, Chernoff & Alford, L.L.P., in Houston, we are board-certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as well as former chief prosecutors and assistant district attorneys who will protect your rights and advise you when you face allegations of child rape, abuse, or any other sex crime.

Should I Submit to a Polygraph Test?

Police often seem to be in a hurry for the accused to submit to polygraph examinations, and criminal defendants—especially innocent ones—are often more than happy to oblige. Taking the polygraph (“lie detector”) test may in fact be a smart move in certain circumstances.

Keep in mind that polygraph tests are not admissible in court because they have been shown to be unreliable.A false positive on a polygraph test creates a strong impression of guilt among police, CPS workers, prosecutors, and even your own family members that you cannot retract.

Protect yourself when you are asked to talk to the police or submit to a polygraph test. Contact an experienced sex crimes attorney.