California Courts Use AI to Draft Orders Without Disclosing to Litigants, Investigation Finds
By
Kyle Belmonte
The kind of bagel that ruins lesser bagels for you.
Summary
A CalMatters/KPBS investigation reveals that AI tools are being used to draft tentative judicial orders and research memos in two of California's largest court systems (Los Angeles County and Riverside County) without disclosing this to litigants. The LA County Superior Court signed a $314,000 contract with AI startup Learned Hand to assist judges. The lack of transparency raises concerns about due process, accountability, and the right of litigants to know when AI is involved in judicial decision-making.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe disclosure emerged from a CalMatters/KPBS investigation published May 26 by reporters Cayla Mihalovich and Khari Johnson.
Court records obtained by the outlets show that the Los Angeles County Superior Court — the largest trial court in the United States — signed a roughly $314,000 contract with an artificial intelligence startup called Learned Hand.
Neither Los Angeles County nor Riverside County is required to tell the people whose cases it touches.
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