A Courtroom First: AI ‘robot lawyer’ to Help Defendant with Speeding Ticket

Well, it looks like AI is coming to the courtroom faster than anticipated. According to news sources a startup called DoNotPay, which bills itself as “The world’s first robot lawyer,” plans to take on two speeding ticket cases in court next month, with its AI instructing the defendants how to respond to their assigned judges.

First reported in New Scientist, DoNotPay’s plan is to have the defendants wear an earpiece with Bluetooth connectivity in the courtroom, likely an AirPod or hearing device, with the AI whispering instructions on what to say in the defendants’ ears.

One defendant will argue their case in person, the other on Zoom. DoNotPay is also considering taking on a third case over an eviction. DoNotPay is keeping the exact dates and locations of the hearings under wraps in case state bars try to intervene. The company hopes the experiment loosens courtroom rules against the use of AI in court, which they believe hurts low-income individuals since roughly 80% cannot afford legal assistance, according to the American Bar Association.

“AI technology is so powerful. People deserve to use that to help themselves,” said CEO and Founder, Joshua Browder. DoNotPay, which has been operating since 2015, has released templates that help people appeal parking tickets or request refunds from airlines.

Browder acknowledges that there are risks to being the first to rely on AI in court, but DoNotPay has agreed to cover any fines and the defendants will be compensated for taking part in the experiment.

DoNotPay has also taken steps to avoid issues with its AI exaggerating facts or being “too polite” and responding to everything the judge says – including rhetorical statements. While the AI’s initial court cases are set for February, there may be more to come.

Browder also said on Twitter that DoNotPay would pay anyone with an upcoming case in the U.S. Supreme Court $1 million to wear AirPods and let its robot lawyer argue the case. Hmmm.

The great irony here is that the method of arguing a dispute will likely become a series of new disputes. They are EVERYWHERE! And when those things negatively impact YOU and/or YOUR business including bankruptcies, landlord/tenant matters including unlawful detainers, contract issues, nuisance ADA claims and even collections, call in your good guy business litigator, Dean Sperling to resolve YOUR matter with YOUR best interests in mind! 

More on the case:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2023/01/09/first-ai-robot-lawyer-donotpay/11018060002/