Opinion ID: 780364
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Is the Polygraph Condition Unnecessary and Overly Burdensome?

Text: 25 Appellant also contends that the polygraph condition is unnecessary and overly burdensome because the results of the examination are not likely to be admissible in court. According to Lee, many courts do not admit polygraph results into evidence because there is no consensus that they are reliable. In addition, Lee asserts that the polygraph condition is unnecessary because he is free to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege and refuse to answer any questions that may incriminate him. 26 We find that the polygraph condition is neither unnecessary nor overly burdensome. The Fifth Amendment allows a person to invoke his privilege against self-incrimination only if the answers to the questions create a threat of future criminal prosecution. A polygraph examiner, however, may still ask other questions that pertain to appellant's compliance with supervised release conditions without implicating the Fifth Amendment. Thus, with regard to the questions that do not fall within the scope of the privilege, the polygraph condition may provide an added incentive for Lee to furnish truthful testimony to the probation officer. Such purpose would assist the officer in his or her supervision and monitoring of the appellant. 27 With respect to the issue of the admissibility of the polygraph result at trial, we note that this Court has not adopted a per se exclusionary rule regarding polygraph evidence. See, e.g., United States v. Johnson, 816 F.2d 918, 923 (3d Cir.1987) (stating that evidence concerning a polygraph examination may be introduced at trial to rebut an assertion of coerced confession). 6 In addition, it is not clear that polygraph evidence will be inadmissible at a revocation hearing, since the Federal Rules of Evidence do not apply at a revocation hearing. See U.S.S.G. § 6A1.3; Fed. R.Evid. 1101(d)(3); see also United States v. Frazier, 26 F.3d 110, 111 (11th Cir. 1994); United States v. Portalla, 985 F.2d 621, 622 (1st Cir.1993). At this stage, we decline to rule on the issue of the admissibility of polygraph evidence at a trial or revocation hearing because, even assuming arguendo that the polygraph evidence is inadmissible, the polygraph result may still be used by the probation officer to enhance supervision and treatment of the releasee. As such, the polygraph condition is not unnecessary. 28 Moreover, we find that the polygraph condition does not impose a significantly greater demand on appellant than that placed on any other probationer. When Lee is released from imprisonment, he will be directed to report periodically to a probation officer and provide truthful answers to the officer's inquiries. (Appendix at A-7). The additional requirement that Lee be subject to polygraph testing does not substantially increase the burden on him. Accordingly, the polygraph test is not overly burdensome. 29