Artificial Intelligence in Legal Defense: First CJAI Program of 2025 Explores Emerging Trends

The Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence (CJAI) programs at The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) began 2025 covering a very timely topic with their program, "Leveraging AI: A Defense Practice Tool." Chaired by Rocky Ramirez of the Concho Valley Public Defenders Office in San Angelo, Texas, the program explored the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in criminal defense strategies.

Photo: Rocky Ramirez of the Concho Valley Public Defenders Office in San Angelo, Texas, chaired the program and led several of the day's discussions.

Held in a hybrid format, the course drew participants from across Texas, combining the benefits of in-person engagement with the accessibility of online learning.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming legal defense, making it critical to offer this program quickly,” said Shannon Evans, Director of CAIL’s Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence programs. “I’m grateful to our faculty for sharing expertise and practical takeaways, helping participants understand how AI is shaping law and how to use it to better serve their clients.”



Photo: Program participants attend session during "Leveraging AI: A Defense Practice Tool" at CAIL's education center in Plano.

The program’s participants praised its innovative and hands-on approach, citing the value of interactive workshops and real-world demonstrations. During his lecture, guest faculty member Felix Valenzuela (Valenzuela Law Firm, El Paso, TX) shared how AI is revolutionizing time-intensive tasks:

"Artificial intelligence is a game-changer for defense attorneys, especially in managing time-intensive tasks like transcription and translation. By leveraging AI tools, tasks that once took hours—such as translating handwritten letters from clients—can now be completed in minutes, allowing attorneys to focus on critical aspects of their cases. However, human supervision remains essential to ensure accuracy and uphold ethical standards in every step of the process."

Photo: Felix Valenzuela (Valenzuela Law Firm, El Paso, TX) spoke to participants about the AI prompt engineering.

Funded by a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence programs provide cutting-edge tools and education to equip legal professionals with the resources they need to address contemporary challenges in the justice system. CAIL extends its gratitude to the faculty for sharing their expertise and making this program a success.

This program underscores CAIL’s commitment to providing timely, high-impact education that bridges the intersection of technology and criminal justice. To explore the full schedule of upcoming Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence programs, click here.