I wonder if anyone has any experience or advice about the use of polygraphs in a non-criminal court case.  I have a situation which seems impossibly strange and I don't know what to think... or do.

The background: I had to go to court to evict a tenant, who was ordered by the judge to vacate and return certain expensive personal property to me and also to refrain from vandalizing the house.  The individual did not return the property and did thousands of dollars of damage to the house, so I went back to the judge, asking that the individual be held in contempt of court.  The judge listened to my testimony and my witnesses and then the defendant's denials. Before listening to any of the defendant's witnesses, the judge interrupted and asked the defendant if he would let the matter be settled by a polygraph administered by a State Police Examiner . The defendant heartily agreed and my lawyer suggested that we go along (which I now regret though if I had objected it would probably have upset the judge). As we were adjourning, the judge asked me, almost as an afterthought, if I would also agree to take a polygraph.  I declined, saying that I had nothing to prove, but the judge gave me a very skeptical look. Please consider that this is taking place in a very small town in a somewhat rural area of the South.

Questions: 
--Can this be legal?  
--Does anyone have any similar experience?
--How might State Police examinations differ from job related polygraphs?  (I'd prefer not to reveal the particular state publicly.)
--What if he "beats" the polygraph, appearing innocent of the theft and vandalism?  He made the counterclaim that I fabricated the charges for spite, which the judge might believe if I don't also take the exam. 

Any thoughts or advice would be gratefully received!

Also, if you feel comfortable telling us in which state you reside, I'm certain someone can quote you the specific laws and guidelines covering polygraph testing.