AI in practice

Colorado lawyer suspended after using ChatGPT to file motion

Matthias Bastian
A computer on a stack of books.

Midjourney prompted by THE DECODER

Colorado lawyer Zachariah C. Crabill has been suspended for 90 days after filing a motion that contained incorrect or fictitious cases generated by ChatGPT. Crabill did not verify the accuracy of the citations. When the judge expressed concern, Crabill falsely blamed a legal intern. He later submitted an affidavit admitting his use of ChatGPT. The suspension, effective November 22, 2023, is part of a one-year and one-day suspension, with the remainder stayed upon Crabill's successful completion of a two-year probationary period. Crabill violated several rules of professional conduct, including competence, diligence, honesty, and misrepresentation.

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