DoNotPay's 'Robot Lawyer' Court Debut Canceled Amid Legal Threats, Company Fined $193,000 by FTC

San Francisco – DoNotPay, a company that markets itself as the "world's first robot lawyer," canceled its planned live courtroom debut in early 2023 after its founder, Joshua Browder, faced threats of legal action and potential jail time from State Bar prosecutors. The company had intended for its artificial intelligence to advise a defendant via an earpiece during a traffic court case. बीमारियों के इलाज का भी वादा किया, जिसे बाद में रद्द कर दिया गया।

The AI-powered legal assistant was designed to listen to courtroom arguments in real-time and instruct the defendant on what to say. DoNotPay had committed to covering any fines incurred and compensating the defendants for participating in the experiment. Browder had expressed hopes that the initiative would challenge restrictive rules surrounding AI use in courtrooms, which he argued disproportionately affect low-income individuals unable to afford legal counsel.

However, the ambitious plan was halted following warnings from State Bar officials regarding the unauthorized practice of law. Browder stated that proceeding with the live courtroom experiment would likely result in a six-month jail sentence, leading DoNotPay to postpone its court case and refocus on consumer rights products. Legal experts had raised concerns about the legality of such an application of AI, citing rules against unauthorized practice of law and courtroom recording.

The controversy surrounding DoNotPay's claims extended further in September 2024, when the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced an enforcement action against the company. The FTC alleged that DoNotPay engaged in deceptive practices by falsely advertising the capabilities of its AI services. The regulatory body stated that the company never tested the legal accuracy of its chatbot's answers or hired attorneys to assess the quality of its law-related features.

As part of a proposed settlement, DoNotPay agreed to pay a fine of $193,000 and accept limitations on its future marketing claims. The FTC's action underscores the growing scrutiny on AI companies making broad claims about their technology, particularly in sensitive sectors like legal services. While AI continues to advance in legal research and document generation, direct courtroom intervention remains a contentious area facing significant regulatory and ethical hurdles.