Sponsored Post: How Defense Attorneys Are Using AI for BWC Review

This article is provided by NCAJ sponsor JusticeText.

The explosion of video evidence in criminal cases has transformed the practice of law, particularly with the growing use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by police departments. The sheer volume of this digital evidence presents a daunting challenge for attorneys who often find themselves reviewing hours and hours of footage. A single case today can have more than 100 hours of BWC, especially if several officers are involved.

Attorneys are increasingly turning to AI tools to help navigate this volume of evidence – BWC, jail calls, interrogations, courtroom proceedings, and more. These tools can automate the transcription and analysis of audiovisual evidence, allowing defense attorneys to quickly identify critical information and develop stronger case strategies.

JusticeText is an AI video evidence review tool built specifically for the criminal defense community. This software transcribes discovery in minutes, automatically identifies common moments (e.g., Miranda warnings, field sobriety tests), summarizes transcripts, and allows attorneys to compare and contrast testimony across different interviews.

Today, defense attorneys across the country — from the Massachusetts state public defender to defenders down in Houston – are using tools like JusticeText to translate files, redact personally identifiable information, clip out important sections, and even convert proprietary files that require bespoke players into more usable formats.

Jessa Nicholson Goetz, a defense attorney in Madison, WI has found JusticeText to be an indispensable resource. She recently had a case where she received 40 hours of video just hours before jury selection. She used JusticeText to process everything and discovered that detectives were intentionally withholding exculpatory evidence. The judge not only dismissed the case, but called out flaws in the local public department’s BWC policy, opening a door to advocate for more transparent and accountable practices.

In an era where digital evidence can make or break a case, AI-powered review tools can be essential to modern, zealous advocacy. They not only save time but also enhance the quality of defense, bringing us closer to a fairer justice system.