Artificial intelligence offers potential benefits for individuals navigating the legal system, but its use for legal advice and document preparation comes with significant caveats, according to legal professionals. While AI tools can expedite the process of parsing legal jargon and synthesizing information, they are not a substitute for professional legal counsel and require careful, informed use.
The legal landscape is complex, and a notable portion of individuals already represent themselves in legal matters. Before the widespread availability of AI search tools, approximately 11% of federal civil cases involved self-represented litigants. This figure reportedly rose to 16.8% in fiscal year 2025, suggesting that generative AI may be simplifying the process for more people to file legal documents without an attorney.
However, this increased accessibility is accompanied by risks. Studies indicate that a substantial percentage of court complaints sampled in 2026 showed signs of AI-generated text. Courts have also begun sanctioning both self-represented litigants and attorneys for submitting AI-generated, inaccurate citations. This trend underscores the necessity for guidelines and safeguards when utilizing AI in legal contexts.
AI for Legal Research: A Starting Point
Experts emphasize that AI should be viewed as a research tool, capable of saving time by gathering and synthesizing data. However, users are cautioned against relying on AI for the interpretation of this information or for predicting legal outcomes. A study on AI's response to relationship queries found that AI models tended to be overly agreeable, siding with users more often than humans would, even when the user's actions were questionable.
Transparency with courts regarding AI use is becoming a critical requirement. Federal judges in Georgia, Texas, and Northern California have issued standing orders mandating that pro se litigants disclose any use of AI and attest to the accuracy of their submissions under penalty of perjury. This practice is reportedly spreading to state courts, with failure to disclose AI use potentially leading to sanctions.
Verifying Information and Protecting Sensitive Data
Users must be vigilant about the accuracy of AI-generated information, as hallucinations and incorrect citations are common. It is advisable to ask AI tools for verifiable links to support any claims or statistics. Cross-referencing information with separate legal databases is crucial to confirm the existence and accuracy of cited cases or data, and to ensure the information is current.
Furthermore, sensitive personal information, such as medical or financial details, should never be uploaded to public AI tools. These platforms often use user inputs to train their algorithms, which can compromise confidential data. Uploading such information may also be restricted or prohibited in certain jurisdictions.
Beyond Research: Limitations in Drafting Legal Documents
While AI can streamline the initial stages of legal research by clarifying options and cutting through dense jargon, its capabilities in drafting legal documents are more limited and carry higher risks. AI is not qualified to write legal statements or declarations that can withstand scrutiny in court without human oversight.
A court declaration is a sworn statement that must be factually accurate. AI-generated statements may contain inaccuracies regarding a person's experience or intentions. Signing such a document under penalty of perjury, knowing it may contain misrepresentations, can lead to serious legal consequences.
Instead, the recommended approach involves using AI for data research, verifying the findings, and then incorporating personal facts into the information. AI can then assist in organizing and synthesizing this verified data, but users should draft their own statements and declarations to ensure accuracy and personal understanding.
When to Seek Professional Legal Counsel
For individuals without the financial resources for professional legal representation, AI can serve as a valuable aid. However, it remains a tool that must be used with extreme caution. At various points during the legal process, individuals should assess whether the complexity of their situation warrants engaging a lawyer. While it involves an additional expense, seeking professional legal advice can help avoid costly mistakes and potentially improve the outcome of a case.