United States v. Scheffer
A plain-English summary from Criminal Defense Resources™, a free resource for pro per/pro se defendants and their families.
- Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Decided
- Citation
- 523 U.S. 303 (1998)
What did the court decide?
The Court held that Military Rule of Evidence 707, which bars all polygraph evidence in court-martial proceedings, does not violate an accused's constitutional right to present a defense. The Court pointed to the lack of scientific consensus on whether polygraph results are reliable.
Why does it matter?
This is the Supreme Court's main ruling on polygraph evidence. It means a rule that keeps polygraph results out of a trial is generally allowed under the Constitution. The opinion also notes that courts disagree, and some federal courts leave admissibility to the trial judge under Daubert.
Where can I read the full opinion?
Read the full opinion on Cornell Law School LII →
Always read the full opinion and check whether later cases have limited or changed it. A summary can leave out important details.
Related rulings
- Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Frye v. United States
- State v. Coleman
- State v. Schoenhardt