'Robot lawyer' court appearance using AI is canceled due to a rush of threats from human lawyers to 'throw in prison'

The startup DoNotPay, which aimed to make the first ever AI-based legal defense in February 2023 by utilizing a ``robot lawyer'' based on AI technology such as ChatGPT, has announced that it has abandoned the plan. . DoNotPay CEO Joshua Browder said the reason was a flood of threats of criminal prosecution from bar associations.

An AI robot lawyer was set to argue in court. Real lawyers shut it down. : NPR
https://www.npr.org/2023/01/25/1151435033/a-robot-was-scheduled-to-argue-in-court-then-came-the-jail-threats

AI-powered 'robot' lawyer won't argue in court after jail threats - CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/robot-lawyer-wont-argue-court-jail-threats-do-not-pay/

What DoNotPay was planning was a 'robot lawyer' that uses AI such as ChatGPT and DaVinci to file objections such as traffic violations. People who are defended by robot lawyers wear smart glasses and earphones to appear in court and dictate arguments that are generated and transmitted by AI. In December 2022, a person successfully used ChatGPT to cancel a parking violation decision, and DoNotPay announced plans to use robot lawyers in Supreme Court trials. rice field.

Browder tweeted on January 21, 2023, ``At 13:30 on February 22, history will be made.For the first time in history, a robot will defend someone in an American court.DoNotPay's AI I will whisper exactly what to say in the ear of the person standing in court.We will announce the outcome of the trial and will share more details after the matter is settled, so please wish me luck.' I'm talking about

On February 22nd at 1.30PM, history will be made. For the first time ever, a robot will represent someone in a US courtroom.

DoNotPay AI will whisper in someone's ear exactly what to say. We will release the results and share more after it happens. Wish us luck!

—Joshua Browder (@jbrowder1) January 21, 2023

However, when DoNotPay's use of a 'robot lawyer' to challenge traffic tickets in California courts spread, Mr. Browder began to be flooded with angry letters.

'Multiple state bar associations have threatened us. One even said that if we file a complaint with the District Attorney's Office, we could face a prison sentence,' said Browder. Also, an official from one state bar association said, ``Unlicensed defense is a misdemeanor in some states, and can result in up to six months in county jail.''

DoNotPay has been criticized because many courts do not allow the recording of answers necessary to use robot lawyers. Since some courts allow defendants to use hearing aids, and some hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled, DoNotPay has ruled that the use of earphones is legal. However, in order to record the trial with smart glasses or earphones, all parties must agree to it, and it is not realistic to make the other party admit it.

So much criticism from lawyers that DoNotPay finally gave in and gave up on having a robot lawyer appear in court. Browder tweeted, 'Bad news. I've been threatened by the state bar and if I bring a robot lawyer into a physical courtroom, they'll likely put me in jail for six months.' DoNotPay will continue to adhere to consumer rights while postponing the trial.'

Good morning! Bad news: after receiving threats from State Bar prosecutors, it seems likely they will put me in jail for 6 months if I follow through with bringing a robot lawyer into a physical courtroom. DoNotPay is postponing our court case and sticking to consumer rights:

—Joshua Browder (@jbrowder1) January 25, 2023

Browder also declined to say which specific bar associations sent the letter or who threatened prosecution, saying, 'DoNotPay is being used by several state bar associations, including the California Bar Association. We are under investigation,' he said.

George Cardona, lead attorney for the California Bar Association, said in a statement that while avoiding directly referring to DoNotPay, 'the bar has a duty to investigate cases of suspected unauthorized legal activity. We regularly inform potential violators that they may face civil and criminal lawsuits.'

Plans to have robot lawyers defend traffic violations in court in February 2023 have been derailed, but Browder hasn't given up on his goal of democratizing costly trials. Going forward, the AI will be trained to focus on helping people facing high medical bills, unnecessary subscriptions, and trouble with credit bureaus.

Browder told American media NPR, ``I think calling this tool a 'robot lawyer' has offended a lot of lawyers. Technology is advancing and court rules are becoming very outdated.'