Can I Use ChatGPT in My Court Case?
If you’re representing yourself in court, AI tools like ChatGPT can help with some tasks, like writing clearly and staying organized.
But remember, AI is not a lawyer and often gets the law wrong. Giving incorrect information to a judge can have serious consequences.
This article covers what AI can and can’t do, how to use it safely, and gives you some examples you can try.
What is AI?
AI means artificial intelligence. Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Claude can answer questions, summarize information, and help you with writing.
They work by predicting patterns in language. They don’t think like a person, and they do not understand the law. This is why AI can get things wrong, even when it sounds confident.
What AI tools are good at
AI tools are helpful for writing clearly and staying organized. For example, they can help you:
- Write a calm, clear message to the other side.
- Create first drafts of documents.
- Practice what to say in court or create question lists for witnesses.
These tools are especially helpful if you’re nervous about how you sound in writing or if you’re trying to stay calm and respectful in a stressful situation.
What AI tools are not good at
You should avoid relying on AI to draft court filings.
AI tools are not legal professionals. They didn't go to law school, they don’t think like humans, and they can mislead the user about the law. Sometimes they:
- Get laws wrong.
- Make up laws that don’t exist.
- Give outdated advice.
- Point you toward options that don't fit your case.
Always make sure any documents you give to the court are true and correct. You are responsible for everything you submit, even if AI helped you write it.
Judges take it very seriously if you submit untrue information to the court. They can end your case or order you to pay a fine. You should always check and make sure the information you give to the court is accurate.
Tips for using AI tools safely
Tip #1: Be clear about what you want
AI works best when you give it a clear task. Be specific about what you want. When you ask AI to do something, that’s called a “prompt.”
Tip #2: Use it for help with writing, not legal advice
Think of AI as a smart writing assistant. It can help you explain things or come up with ideas, but it’s not a lawyer and isn’t good at giving legal advice. It can get the law wrong.
Tip #3: Don’t share private information
Most AI tools save the information you provide to improve their services. To protect your privacy:
- Avoid sharing your full legal name, court case number, or other personal details.
- Use general terms or made-up names if you need to give an example.
Tip #4: Treat anything AI writes as a rough draft
- Always read what the AI gives you.
- Make sure it makes sense, is true and accurate, and fits your situation.
- Change the wording so it sounds like your own voice.
- If AI gives you legal terms or laws, always double-check them. Sometimes they aren’t real.
- Don’t use every argument the AI suggests. Judges want your strongest point, not every possible argument.
Tip #5: Talk to a legal professional if you need legal advice
If you’re not sure what to do or need legal advice, talk to a legal professional.
You can look for free or low-cost lawyers using our Legal Directory. If you can afford to pay a lawyer, you can call Oregon’s Lawyer Referral Service for help finding a lawyer.
Examples of how AI can be used in court cases
Here are some ways AI tools can help during a court case. Each example has a prompt you can copy or change to fit your needs.
If you’re trying to settle your case without going to court, AI can help you write a clear and respectful offer.
Prompt example:
I want to write a letter to a debt collector offering to make an affordable payment on my debt. Please write a professional, respectful draft offer based on these terms: I can pay 50% of what I owe, but I need to do it over the next two years.
AI can help explain what different parts of a form mean. But don’t rely on it for legal advice. Always check any laws it mentions to make sure they are correct.
Prompt example:
I live in Salem, Oregon. I’m going to upload a notice I received in my small claims case. Can you explain what this form means? What are my options for responding? Please include citations to the laws or legal authority you rely on.
AI can help you get organized by making a checklist of what to do before your hearing.
Prompt example:
I have a small claims court hearing next week in Oregon. It’s about a disagreement with my former roommate about bills. Can you create a checklist of what I should do to get ready, including what to bring and how to prepare to speak?
AI can help you explain your side clearly and respectfully.
Prompt example:
I need to tell the judge why I don’t owe the money a debt collection company says I owe. Can you help me write a short, respectful statement that explains that the debt is too old?
If you have a hearing or trial, you might have witnesses testify for you. AI can help you write clear questions to ask them in court.
Prompt example:
I have a friend testifying as a witness in my housing case. She heard the landlord say that he didn’t want me to live there anymore because of my kids. Can you help me make a list of clear, open-ended, non-leading questions to ask her in court about what she heard?
If you have a divorce, custody, parenting time, or legal separation case you can find additional tips in our article on using AI in a family law case.