In this eye-opening episode, Ted sits down with Judge Scott Schlegel to discuss the urgent realities of AI and legal tech in today's courtrooms. Judge Schlegel, an advocate for practical tech in justice, shares his experiences with both the promise and peril of AI—from voice-cloning risks to affordable solutions for overburdened court systems. Join them as they explore how AI can revolutionize legal preparation and accessibility while highlighting the critical need for awareness, caution, and responsible use in an evolving digital landscape.

In this episode, Judge Scott shares insights on how to:

• Use low-cost technologies to streamline court operations
• Detect and address deepfakes in court evidence
• Leverage AI tools for trial preparation
• Mitigate the risks of AI-generated evidence in the justice system
• Implement practical technology solutions without extensive budgets

Key takeaways: 

• Deepfake audio poses critical risks in domestic cases, allowing cloned voices to manipulate protective orders, seize assets, and disrupt lives with minimal verification.
• Budget constraints in most courts limit access to advanced tech, pushing judges to rely on affordable tools to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• AI tools like ChatGPT offer valuable support in trial prep, helping lawyers simulate juror perspectives and anticipate key questions before court.
• Rapid AI advancements bring significant challenges for courts unprepared for threats like deepfakes, with slow adoption rates and limited resources complicating responses.

About the guest, Judge Scott Schlegel:

Judge Scott U. Schlegel, a recent inductee into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame, was elected to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal in 2023. Known for pioneering one of the nation's most advanced online justice systems, he has also led as Chair of the Louisiana Supreme Court Technology Commission and served on the ABA & LSBA Task Forces on the Law and Artificial Intelligence. Judge Schlegel's work includes establishing the Reentry Court and Swift & Certain Probation programs to reduce recidivism. A Loyola University New Orleans College of Law graduate, he is married to Representative Laurie Schlegel and has one son in college.

“We need to build a more modern justice system—needs to be more efficient, more effective, and more accessible. And I just think that we can use simple technologies to modernize the justice system to make everybody’s lives better.” – Judge Scott Schlegel

Connect with Judge Scott Schlegel:

Website: https://judgeschlegel.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judgeschlegel/

Twitter: https://x.com/judgeschlegel

Connect with Ted Theodoropoulos:

Website: https://getinfodash.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedtheo

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getinfodash/podcasts