AI in the Public Defender’s Office: A National Benchmark Study

Overview

How are public defenders navigating growing volumes of digital evidence and the possibilities of artificial intelligence? This national benchmark study examines discovery challenges, current evidence-review practices, and AI priorities across public defender offices and criminal defense practices. It explores where defenders see opportunities for AI to assist their work, the concerns shaping adoption, and how needs differ by jurisdiction size. The report also examines what defenders need to adopt AI with confidence, from protecting client confidentiality and verifying accuracy to securing training, funding, and access to appropriate tools.