If you’re under criminal investigation, every decision you make matters—including how you use artificial intelligence. While AI tools can be helpful for general research or organizing your thoughts, they should never be used as a substitute for legal guidance. Relying on AI during an investigation can unintentionally create problems that may hurt your defense later.
AI programs like chatbots and online legal assistants are designed to provide general information. They don’t know your specific situation, the laws in your jurisdiction or the tactics law enforcement may be using in your case. You may receive information that sounds accurate but is incomplete or misleading. If you act on that information—such as deciding when or how to speak to police—you could make a mistake that harms your legal position.
Another concern is privacy. AI platforms are not protected by attorney-client privilege. If you enter details about your case into a chatbot, you have no guarantee that the information will remain confidential. Some platforms store user data to improve performance or even share it with third parties. What you type into an AI system could later be used against you, especially if accessed through legal channels.
In addition, law enforcement and prosecutors may scrutinize your online activity during an investigation. If you’ve used AI to draft social media posts, send messages or search for criminal law topics, those digital footprints could be misinterpreted or taken out of context. While researching your rights is important, doing so privately and with guidance from a real attorney is the safest approach.
AI has its place, but when you’re the subject of a criminal investigation, your freedom and reputation are too important to risk on machine-generated answers. Be cautious, stay off public platforms and reach out to a legal professional as soon as possible.
