USING GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (GenAI) IN YOUR COURT CASE

Important Information for Self-Represented Litigants

PLEASE READ BEFORE USING GenAI

If you are representing yourself in court, you might be tempted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or similar programs to help you understand legal information. Remember that these are only tools.

GenAI can be helpful, but it can also be wrong.

You are responsible for everything you file with the court. If an GenAI tool provides incorrect information and you include it in a court filing, you may face penalties, including fines, having your filing rejected, or dismissal of your case. Remember that self-represented litigants are subject to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 11 and Rule 26(g).  Think of GenAI as a research assistant, not a lawyer. GenAI can help you understand legal concepts, but it cannot replace legal advice from a qualified attorney.

WHAT IS GenAI?

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is computer technology that uses patterns from large amounts of information to generate responses.

GenAI does not think, reason, or understand situations the way people do. Instead, it predicts what information may be helpful based on patterns it has learned. Because of this, GenAI can sometimes provide answers that sound correct but are actually wrong.

WHAT GenAI CAN HELP YOU DO

GenAI may help you:

✓ Understand legal words and court documents

✓ Summarize long legal materials

✓ Explain legal concepts in plain language

✓ Organize information and create checklists

✓ Brainstorm  legal research topics

✓ Draft letters, motions, or other documents for review

✓ Understand court procedures and deadlines

✓ Identify legal terms that may help with research

GenAI should be used as a starting point for research, not as the final authority.  You need to verify all responses for accuracy. If you certify a document under Rule 11 or Rule 26(g) that contains inaccurate information, you—not the GenAI tool—is responsible. 

WHAT GenAI CANNOT DO

GenAI cannot:

✗ Give legal advice specific to your situation

✗ Tell you the best legal strategy

✗ Represent you in court

✗ Speak to a judge on your behalf

✗ File documents for you

✗ Fully understand all the facts of your case

✗ Guarantee that information is current or accurate

Only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice and representation.

IMPORTANT WARNING: GenAI MAY MAKE THINGS UP

GenAI sometimes creates information that appears real but is completely false. This is often called a "hallucination." GenAI may:

•           Invent court cases that do not exist

•           Create fake legal citations and quotations

•           Misquote laws

•           Misstate court decisions

•           Provide outdated legal information

These errors can look very convincing.

Never assume a citation, case, statute, or quote provided by GenAI is real. Always verify it using official legal sources.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COURT

Before filing any document prepared with GenAI assistance, you should:

Verify Every Citation

Make sure every case, law, regulation, and quotation actually exists.

Read the Original Source

Read the court opinion, statute, regulation, or rule yourself. Do not rely solely on GenAI summaries.

Confirm the Law Is Current

Laws change frequently. A law or case discussed by GenAI may no longer be valid.

 Verify Court Procedures

Always confirm deadlines, filing requirements, fees, and forms with the court's website or the Clerk's Office.

Review Everything Carefully

Do not submit any document to the court unless you personally understand and verify its contents.

PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Communications with GenAI are generally not confidential in the same way communications with an attorney may be. Do NOT enter:

•           Social Security numbers

•           Bank account numbers          

•           Passwords

•           Medical records

•           Confidential business information

•           Sensitive personal information

•           Private details that are not necessary for your question

Do not enter documents marked as “confidential” pursuant to a protective order into any GenAI tool unless the Court allows you.

Always read the GenAI provider's privacy policies and terms of service before uploading documents or sharing personal information.

HOW TO ASK GenAI BETTER QUESTIONS

The question you ask GenAI is called a prompt.  Better prompts usually result in more useful answers.

Include Your Location

Laws differ by state and court.

Example:

Poor Prompt: Can my landlord evict me?

Better Prompt: I am a tenant in Illinois. My landlord gave me a notice for unpaid rent. What does that notice mean?

Include Important Facts

Explain:

•           Who you are

•           What happened

•           Important dates

•           Documents you received

•           What information you need

Ask Follow-Up Questions

If you do not understand an answer, ask additional questions to clarify.

WHEN YOU SHOULD SEEK HUMAN HELP

Do not rely only on GenAI when:

You Are Confused

If GenAI provides inconsistent, conflicting, or unclear answers, seek assistance from a qualified human resource.

You Cannot Verify Information

If you cannot confirm that a case, statute, quotation, or rule is accurate and current, do not rely on it.

You Have an Upcoming Deadline

Missed deadlines can seriously affect your rights. Contact a court self-help center, law library, legal aid office, or attorney if you are uncertain about what to do.

BEST PRACTICES

When using GenAI in connection with a court case:

✅ Use GenAI as a tool, not as a decision-maker

✅ Verify all legal authorities and citations

✅ Save copies of important GenAI conversations

✅ Keep notes about your research

✅ Check official court and government websites

✅ Be honest about your use of GenAI if asked by the court

✅ Use critical thinking and common sense

✅ Seek human help when appropriate

✅ Review all documents before filing them with the court

✅ Make sure every statement submitted to the court is accurate

REMEMBER:

GenAI IS NOT YOUR LAWYER.

GenAI can help you learn about the legal system and understand legal information. However, GenAI cannot replace professional legal judgment, legal training, or legal advice.

You are responsible for every document filed in your case. Improper use of GenAI can lead to serious results, including monetary sanctions and dismissal of your case.

Before relying on GenAI-generated information:

1.         Verify it.

2.         Confirm it.

3.         Understand it.

4.         Then decide whether to use it.

If you are unsure, seek help from a lawyer, legal aid organization, or self-help center.

This website page provides general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.