The Douglas County Community Bail Fund will soon host a talk on the “history, application, and pitfalls of the use of polygraphs in our legal system,” according to organizers.
The event, “The trouble with polygraphs,” is set for 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 in Meeting Room C at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.
David Graham, criminal defense and constitutional rights attorney, will give a presentation and participate in a Q&A with those in attendance about the detriments of polygraph testing, according to the hosts.
Polygraphs, often referred to as “lie detector tests,” measure physiological changes that could indicate someone is being untruthful. However, there are no universal physiological signs of deception, and there are many ways to “beat” polygraphs. They are considered pseudoscience and are not admissible in court, but law enforcement officers can still use them to coerce confessions or release results to media in order to taint a jury pool and make it easier to secure a conviction.
The event is free to attend and open to the public. Hosts will provide light refreshments.
The bail fund formed in 2022 “with a mission to reduce the monetary bail burden imposed on legally innocent Douglas County residents,” according to its board of directors.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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Know your rights
If you’re stopped by police:
• Rather than be confrontational during an interaction with police, it’s better to exercise your right to remain silent.
• If an officer asks you for identifying information, confirm that you are being required to provide that information.
• You do not have to consent to a search. Clarify whether you are able to refuse a search. If an officer believes your car contains evidence, your car can be searched without your consent.
More: ACLU of Kansas — Know Your Rights when Stopped by Police in Kansas
If you’re confronted by ICE:
• Stay calm. If you have lawful immigration status, show your documentation. If you’re undocumented, don’t provide false documents, and don’t discuss your immigration status with police, ICE or other officials.
• If an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official comes to your door, don’t open your door. Officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. ICE “warrants” do not grant authority to enter a home without consent of the occupant.
More: National Immigrant Justice Center — Know Your Rights: What to do if You or a Loved One is Detained; If You Encounter ICE
If someone you know is arrested in Douglas County:
• You can check the jail’s booking log at this link to confirm and see if a bond amount has been set.
• If bond is set in the case, you can pay it online via this link.
• The Douglas County Community Bail Fund might be able to help with limited assistance for misdemeanor bails. Call 785-764-3684 or email DGCOBailFund@gmail.com.
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