Federal Judge Criticizes DOJ for Submitting Filing with Incorrect Case Law

A federal judge, Hala Jarbou, appointed by former President Donald Trump, criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) for submitting a court filing that included fictitious case law, which appeared to be generated by artificial intelligence. The case involved an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee whose bond order was delayed pending appeal. Judge Jarbou noted that the delay had expired, rendering the issue moot. She highlighted that the DOJ had previously responded to a court order with a citation to a non-existent case from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, stating, "It seems this citation was likely produced by generative artificial intelligence." Jarbou emphasized the need for attorneys using AI to thoroughly review their work to ensure accuracy. Alissa Heynen, a lawyer for the plaintiff, expressed disappointment that the government relied on fabricated cases, noting the impact on real individuals. The judge did not impose sanctions for the AI error but reiterated the importance of accurate legal filings.