AI in Criminal Justice Series by the Law Commission of Ontario
Today, the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) released AI in Criminal Justice, a series of five research papers examining the use of AI in the criminal justice system.
AI systems offer many benefits in criminal justice but are also very controversial. Many criminal AI systems raise profound risks of false arrest; mass surveillance; biased policing; human rights and privacy violations; erosion of procedural fairness; and reduced access to justice.
The Project Papers
The project includes an Executive Summary and Consultation Questions, Introduction and Summary and four project Issue Papers, written by a broad cross-section of criminal justice experts, including representatives from police, courts, government, defense, as well as academics and advocates. Each Issue Paper considers the use of AI in a distinct stage of the criminal justice process, including:
- Use of AI by Law Enforcement
- AI and the Assessment of Risk in Bail, Sentencing, and Recidivism
- AI at Trial and on Appeal
- AI and Systemic Oversight Mechanisms
Consultation Process
The LCO will be consulting with stakeholders across the justice system on these important and timely issues. You can learn the consultation process and download the papers at the Criminal AI Project page on the LCO website.
For more information about the AI in Criminal Justice papers, contact:
Ryan Fritsch, LCO Policy Counsel and Lead, Criminal AI Project at rfritsch@lco-cdo.org.
Posted: April 22, 2025