New York lawyers, Levidow, Levidow & Oberman P.C., have been fined $5,000 after using a phony artificial intelligence tool called ChatGPT to create fake case citations. Two of the firm’s lawyers, Steven Schwartz and Peter LoDuca, submitted briefs with non-existent judicial opinions and fake quotes, which they claimed were created by ChatGPT, on behalf of a client who claimed he was injured during a 2019 flight from El Salvador to New York.
US District Judge P. Kevin Castel imposed the fine after finding that the lawyers had acted in bad faith. They had avoided indications that the citations were fake and made misleading statements to the court, according to Castel. The judge also threw out the client’s suit, ruling that it was filed too late.
In addition to the fine, Castel ordered the lawyers to send his opinion and a transcript of a hearing to the client and to each of the judges falsely identified as authors of six fictitious court opinions cited in the brief. He also said that the court would not require an apology from the lawyers since a compelled apology is not a sincere apology. Any decision to apologize is left to the lawyers, he added.
There was no immediate comment from the law firm. Nevertheless, this incident highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legal system and the consequences of attempting to deceive the court.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What did Levidow, Levidow & Oberman P.C. do that resulted in a $5,000 fine?
They used a fake artificial intelligence tool called ChatGPT to create fake case citations and submitted briefs with non-existent judicial opinions and fake quotes claiming they were created by ChatGPT.
Who imposed the fine on the law firm and why?
US District Judge P. Kevin Castel imposed the fine after finding that the lawyers had acted in bad faith, avoided indications that the citations were fake, and made misleading statements to the court.
What happened to the client's suit?
The client's suit was thrown out by the judge, ruling that it was filed too late.
What did the judge order the lawyers to do in addition to paying the fine?
The judge ordered the lawyers to send his opinion and a transcript of a hearing to the client and to each of the judges falsely identified as authors of six fictitious court opinions cited in the brief.
Will the lawyers be required to apologize for their actions?
No, the court will not require an apology from the lawyers since a compelled apology is not a sincere apology. Any decision to apologize is left to the lawyers.
Why is it important to maintain the integrity of the legal system?
It is important to maintain the integrity of the legal system to ensure that justice is served fairly and justly. Attempting to deceive the court can result in serious consequences for the individuals involved.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
