Federal judge fines lawyer for AI citations
U.S. District Judge Terry Moorer in Alabama fined Loxley attorney James Johnson $5,000 and formally reprimanded him for submitting court filings with bogus case citations generated by AI, according to an 18-page order. Moorer also ordered Johnson to notify current and future clients, referred him to the court’s advisory panel to consider removing him from eligibility for court-appointed criminal cases, and allowed Johnson’s client, Glennie Antonio McGee, to represent himself after the misconduct.
Legal
AI & Tech
📌 Key Facts
- Judge: U.S. District Judge Terry Moorer (Southern District of Alabama)
- Attorney: James Johnson of Loxley, Alabama
- Sanction: $5,000 fine and formal reprimand; order to alert current and future clients
- Referral: Court’s advisory panel to consider removal from court-appointed criminal case list
- Case: Client Glennie Antonio McGee permitted to represent himself after loss of confidence
- Order length and content: 18 pages criticizing improper use of generative AI and citing a broader trend of fake citations