In a notable case from Alabama, a federal judge has imposed a fine and issued a reprimand to a lawyer for utilizing artificial intelligence to draft legal documents that contained erroneous case citations. The incident highlights the growing concerns over the reliability of AI in professional settings.

Judge Terry Moorer, of the U.S. District Court, delivered a stern 18-page order criticizing the actions of attorney James Johnson, who practices in Loxley. The report by FOX10 Mobile details the judge’s concerns regarding Johnson’s use of AI, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Moorer stated, “The Court further has no difficulty finding that Mr. Johnson’s misconduct was more than mere recklessness. The insertion of bogus citations is not a mere typographical error, nor the subject of reasonable debate. It is just wrong.” His words underscore the serious nature of the misconduct beyond just a simple oversight.

“The Court further has no difficulty finding that Mr. Johnson’s misconduct was more than mere recklessness. … The insertion of bogus citations is not a mere typographical error, nor the subject of reasonable debate,” he wrote. “It is just wrong.”

Judge Moorer, who was nominated by President Donald Trump and is pictured speaking at a Senate Judiciary nomination hearing in November 2017, has made it clear through this decision that diligence and accuracy must remain paramount in legal proceedings, regardless of technological advancements.

Judge Terry Moore is seen speaking at a Senate Judiciary nomination hearing on Nov. 1, 2017. President Donald Trump had nominated Moorer. (Senate Judiciary)

The judge also referred Johnson to the court’s advisory panel to consider removing him from the list of attorneys eligible for court-appointed criminal cases.

Moore wrote that his reasoning for a reprimand beyond a monetary fine was because it “has become clear that basic reprimands and small fines are not sufficient” to deter this type of misconduct, citing dozens of lawyers making similar errors in cases across the country. 

Moore cited dozens of other lawyers across the country who made similar errors using AI. (iStock)

“Yet, the improper use of generative AI is a problem that sadly is not going away despite the general knowledge in the legal community that AI can hallucinate and make up cases. … Somehow the message still has not been hammered home as the epidemic of citing fake cases continues unabated,” Moore wrote.

Moorer granted Johnson’s client permission to represent himself following the AI misconduct.  (iStock)

Johnson was representing Glennie Antonio McGee in a high-profile drug case. McGee allegedly ran a drug distribution organization that used children as young as three years old as couriers.

McGee declared that he no longer had confidence in Johnson as his counsel following the AI misconduct. Moore then gave McGee permission to represent himself.