AI in Criminal Defense: Ethics and Best Practices

Artificial intelligence is transforming criminal defense practice -- from automated transcription to facial recognition to predictive analytics. But the speed of adoption has outpaced ethical frameworks, leaving defense attorneys navigating uncharted territory. This webinar addresses the ethical obligations, practical risks, and best practices for using AI tools in criminal defense.

We examine the duty of competence as it applies to AI-assisted analysis: what attorneys need to understand about the tools they use, how to verify AI outputs, and when to disclose the use of AI in case preparation. The session covers ABA Model Rule 1.1 commentary on technology competence and emerging state bar opinions on AI in legal practice.

The webinar also addresses bias in AI systems -- particularly facial recognition and predictive tools -- and how defense attorneys can challenge prosecution use of AI while responsibly incorporating these tools into their own practice. We close with a practical framework for evaluating and adopting AI tools that balances innovation with ethical obligations.