Michael Kotik Reviews: Should Future Criminal Defense Lawyers Still Consider Law School?

The answer, in my opinion, is yes.

With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, some prospective law students may be wondering whether attending law school still makes sense—particularly if their goal is to become a criminal defense attorney.

AI is already changing the legal profession, particularly when it comes to research, organization, document review, and other tasks that can assist attorneys in preparing their cases. But criminal defense involves much more than researching statutes and cases or drafting legal documents. Much of the most important work happens inside the courtroom and through direct interaction with people.

Why AI Cannot Replace a Defense Attorney

A criminal defense attorney may have to stand before a judge, negotiate with a prosecutor, challenge the government’s evidence, cross-examine police officers and other witnesses, present witnesses for the defense, argue motions, and ultimately present a case to a judge or jury. AI can help an attorney prepare for those responsibilities, but it cannot simply replace a licensed lawyer and independently appear in court to represent a defendant.

There is also a human component to criminal defense that should not be underestimated. An experienced attorney develops judgment through years of handling cases, appearing before different judges, dealing with prosecutors, questioning witnesses, evaluating evidence, and understanding how people react inside and outside of a courtroom. Knowing what argument to make, when to make it, and how to make it can be just as important as knowing the law itself.

What Are The Specific Tasks AI Can’t Do as a Defense Attorney?

Criminal cases also involve real people facing potentially life-changing consequences. Compassion, empathy, credibility, negotiation skills, and the ability to understand a client’s individual circumstances can play an important role in representing someone effectively. Those qualities are difficult to reduce to an algorithm.

AI also has limitations. While it can be an extremely useful research and preparation tool, attorneys remain responsible for verifying legal authorities, checking the accuracy of information, exercising independent professional judgment, and protecting their clients’ interests. A person’s freedom is simply too important for a lawyer to blindly rely on an AI-generated answer without independently confirming it.

Perhaps most importantly, courtroom advocacy is a skill developed through experience. Cross-examining a witness, conducting a direct examination, arguing before a judge, negotiating with a prosecutor, and persuading a jury require preparation, judgment, strategy, and the ability to react in real time. These are skills that criminal defense lawyers spend years developing.

For future criminal defense attorneys, AI should therefore be viewed less as a replacement and more as another tool. Lawyers who learn how to use AI responsibly may become more efficient in researching issues, reviewing information, developing ideas, and preparing for court. But the lawyer remains responsible for making the decisions and standing beside the client when it matters.

So, Should Someone Who Wants to Practice Criminal Defense still Consider Law School?

Absolutely.

Technology will continue to change the practice of law, but criminal defense remains a fundamentally human profession. For students who want to advocate for people, argue cases in court, challenge the government’s evidence, and protect constitutional rights, there is still a meaningful role for skilled criminal defense attorneys—and AI may ultimately become another tool that helps them do that job more effectively.

This article reflects general commentary regarding the legal profession and technology and is provided for informational purposes only.