How Can Police Reports Created Using AI Affect Criminal Cases? | CT

 Posted on September 20, 2024 in Criminal Law

Over the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has become more and more widespread. Many companies and organizations are finding uses for chatbots that can generate text for articles or reports. One notable use of AI involves tools that can automatically generate police reports. As police departments across the country begin to adopt this technology, concerns have been raised about how this may affect people who interact with police officers and those who may be arrested and charged with crimes.

When dealing with criminal charges, it is essential to work with an attorney who has a strong understanding of technological issues and legal concerns that play a role in these cases. By securing legal representation from a skilled and experienced lawyer, defendants can determine the best defense strategies to help them resolve their cases successfully.

Concerns Related to AI-Generated Police Reports

Axon, a company that provides body cameras to police departments, recently released a tool known as Axon Draft One that generates police reports using AI. This tool integrates with body cameras, using the audio recorded to create reports that follow standard formats. In June of 2024, the police department in Frederick, Colorado announced that it was the first to adopt this technology, and since then, numerous other police departments throughout the United States have also begun using this tool. While other companies also provide similar tools to police departments, Axon Draft One is the most popular due to its integration with body cameras that are already being used.

While AI-generated police reports may increase efficiency, there are a number of concerns about how this technology works and how it may affect criminal cases. AI chatbots are known to make mistakes or even fabricate information. While Axon has stated that it has fine-tuned the technology to minimize errors and prevent "hallucinations," it has provided few details about what measures have been taken to ensure accuracy. Without transparency about how AI models have been trained, what information is used to generate reports, and what testing has been performed, police reports that are generated may be unreliable.

Criminal justice advocates have also raised concerns about the biases that may affect AI-generated police reports. Depending on how AI tools are trained, they could result in unfair treatment of minorities or others who are vulnerable to police misconduct. They may also be prone to abuse if police officers make certain statements meant to influence a case. For example, during an interaction with a suspect, an officer may tell a person to drop a gun, and AI may interpret this statement as indicating that the suspect was armed, even if no weapon was actually present. 

Police reports can play a crucial role in many cases. They can influence the criminal charges that may be pursued by prosecutors, and they can serve as crucial evidence during a criminal trial. They may also be used to hold police accountable for misconduct. If the information provided in police reports is inaccurate, the rights of defendants may be affected. To ensure that the tools used by police are addressed correctly during a criminal case, it is crucial to work with an attorney who understands how to protect the rights of defendants.

Contact Our Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

At Woolf Law Firm, LLC, we work to protect the rights of clients who are facing criminal charges. We can address AI technology or other tools used by police, questioning the reliability of evidence and ensuring that all facts of a case are fully understood. Our Connecticut criminal defense lawyer can provide effective legal representation to help clients defend against convictions. To set up a free consultation and get the legal help you need during your case, contact us at 860-290-8690.