The analysis of any polygraph test charts produced during any polygraph examination administered to a party or witness shall not be admissible in any proceeding conducted pursuant to § 2.2-1202.1 or conducted by any county, city or town over the objection of any party except as to disciplinary or other actions taken against a polygrapher.
§ 8.01-418.2.Evidence of polygraph examination inadmissible in any proceeding.
Chapter 14. Evidence · Article 9. Miscellaneous Provisions · Last amended 2012 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-418.2 makes the analysis of polygraph test charts inadmissible in specified administrative proceedings or proceedings brought by a county, city, or town, when a party objects, except where the proceeding concerns disciplinary or other action against the polygrapher.
Full Text of § 8.01-418.2
Plain-English Summary
Polygraph results carry a reputation for scientific reliability they do not fully deserve, and this section keeps that unreliability out of certain government proceedings. Whenever a polygraph examination has been given to a party or witness, the analysis of the test charts it produced cannot come into evidence in a proceeding under § 2.2-1202.1 or one conducted by a county, city, or town — as long as some party objects.
The section carves out one narrow exception: proceedings about disciplinary or other action taken against the polygrapher. That is the one context where the polygraph analysis itself, rather than what it says about the examinee, is what is at issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are polygraph test results admissible in Virginia administrative or local government proceedings?
No, when a party objects, the analysis of polygraph test charts is not admissible in a proceeding under § 2.2-1202.1 or one conducted by a county, city, or town.
Does the polygraph exclusion apply automatically, or does someone have to object?
A party has to object — the statute excludes the evidence “over the objection of any party,” implying the analysis could come in without objection.
Is there any situation where polygraph chart analysis is admissible under this section?
Yes — as to disciplinary or other actions taken against a polygrapher.
What does this section say about polygraph evidence in civil trials generally?
By its terms, the section addresses proceedings under § 2.2-1202.1 and proceedings conducted by a county, city, or town, rather than civil trials generally.
Whose polygraph examination does this section cover?
An examination administered to a party or a witness.
Amendment History
1993, c. 570; 1995, cc. 770, 818; 2012, cc. 803, 835.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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