This database tracks legal decisions1
I.e., all documents where the use of AI, whether established or merely alleged, is addressed in more than a passing reference by the court or tribunal.
Notably, this does not cover mere allegations of hallucinations, but only cases where the court or tribunal has explicitly found (or implied) that a party relied on hallucinated content or material.
As an exception, the database also covers some judicial decisions where AI use was alleged but not confirmed. This is a judgment call on my part.
in cases where generative AI produced hallucinated content – typically fake citations, but also other types of AI-generated arguments. It does not track the (necessarily wider) universe of all fake citations or use of AI in court filings.
While seeking to be exhaustive (831 cases identified so far), it is a work in progress and will expand as new examples emerge. This database has been featured in news media, and indeed in several decisions dealing with hallucinated material.2
Examples of media coverage include:
- M. Hiltzik, AI 'hallucinations' are a growing problem for the legal profession (LA Times, 22 May 2025)
- E. Volokh, "AI Hallucination Cases," from Courts All Over the World (Volokh Conspiracy, 18 May 2025)
- J-.M. Manach, "Il génère des plaidoiries par IA, et en recense 160 ayant « halluciné » depuis 2023" (Next, 1 July 2025)
- J. Koebler & J. Roscoe, "18 Lawyers Caught Using AI Explain Why They Did It (404 Media, 30 September 2025)
Based on this database, I have developped an automated reference checker that also detects hallucinations: PelAIkan. Check the Reports
in the database for examples, and reach out to me for a demo !
For weekly takes on cases like these, and what they mean for legal practice, subscribe to Artificial Authority.
| Case | Court / Jurisdiction | Date ▼ | Party Using AI | AI Tool ⓘ | Nature of Hallucination | Outcome / Sanction | Monetary Penalty | Details | Report(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph C. Zoghaib v. Societe Generale De Banque Au Liban, et al. | S.D. Florida (USA) | 8 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Misrepresented
Case Law
(3)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Nancy Parkinson v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review | Cmwlth Pennsylvania (USA) | 7 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
— | — | ||
| Aurore Sims v. Assia Souily-Lefave; Around Vegas, LLC | D. Nevada (USA) | 7 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(4)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Blackburn v. United States | W.D. Oklahoma (USA) | 7 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(5)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Kelly Bartholomew v. Public Utility Commission of Oregon | CA Oregon (USA) | 6 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Unidentified |
Fabricated
Case Law
(3)
|
Judicial review dismissed due to submission of fabricated case citations | — | — | |
| James Jordan v. USA, Clinicas Del Camino Real, Inc., et al. | C.D. California (USA) | 6 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
False Quotes
Case Law
(1)
|
Admonishment | — | — | |
| Wendy Wolkenstein and Rebecca Knepp v. Dan Heinrich and Samual Tillery | D. Nevada (USA) | 6 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(2)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Hardy v. Genesee County Community Action Resource Department, et al. (2) | E.D. Mich. (USA) | 6 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Unidentified |
False Quotes
Case Law
(3)
|
Brief Struck | — | — | |
| Viral Bhagat v. Anuja Sharad Shah | S.D. New York (USA) | 6 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Admonishment | — | — | |
| Najafpir v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. | N.D. California (USA) | 3 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Claim dismissed with prejudice | — | — | |
| Ward v. Amazon.com Services LLC | W.D. Washington (USA) | 3 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(2)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Ellen Michaelis v. Wilmington Savings Fund Society | SC Dutchess County, N.Y. (USA) | 3 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
False Quotes
Case Law
(1)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(1)
|
— | — | |||
|
Source: Jesse Schaefer
|
|||||||||
| Kevin D. Turnage v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., et al. | D. Arizona (USA) | 2 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(3),
other
(1)
Misrepresented
Legal Norm
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Stanford v. Leinart | CA Texas (USA) | 2 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Admonishment | — | — | |
|
Source: Jesse Schaefer
|
|||||||||
| AGC v Registrar of Land Titles | SC Yukon (Canada) | 2 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Google Gemini | — | — | — | ||
|
Source: Courtready
⚠ Alleged AI Use
|
|||||||||
| 9525-1260 Québec inc. c. Donato | SC Québec (Canada) | 2 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Misrepresented
Exhibits or Submissions
(1)
|
No weight given to AI-generated submissions | — | — | |
|
Source: Courtready
|
|||||||||
| Saqib Kafeel v. Apple Inc., et al. | N.D. California (USA) | 1 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Patrick Hrdlichka v. Samantha Bengston | CA Arkansas (USA) | 1 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| In the Interest of W.G., Minor Child | CA Iowa (USA) | 1 April 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Perplexity |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(1)
|
— | — | ||
| Evgeny Yaroshevsky v. Karlin et al. | E.D. New York (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Gemini |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
False Quotes
Case Law
(1)
Misrepresented
other
(1)
|
Recommended adverse costs order | — | — | |
|
R&R was adopted later on (see here). |
|||||||||
|
Source: Jesse Schaefer
|
|||||||||
| Edward C. Allen v. Western Governors University, et al. | D. Nevada (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
False Quotes
Case Law
(4)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(3)
|
Case dismissed with prejudice; Adverse Costs Order | 1 USD | — | |
| Rushing v. Rushing et al. | CA Minnesotta (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
CA greenlighted dismissal of case for AI misuse | — | — | |
| Rosa Maria Cabrera Thompson v. Seattle Public Schools | W.D. Washington (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Order to Show Cause | — | — | |
| Federal Trade Commission v. James D. Noland, Jr., et al. | D. Arizona (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Galang v. Canada (Attorney General) | B.C. Supreme Court (Canada) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Brief part struck | — | — | |
|
Source: Courtready
|
|||||||||
| Ford v. Sherwin-Williams | D. Kansas (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
|
The district court identified fabricated citations and quotations in the pro se plaintiff's filings (e.g., a cited Westlaw number and case caption that did not match the cited authority). The court suspected the citations were AI-generated, cautioned the plaintiff, and referenced D. Kan. Standing Order 26-01 warning of possible sanctions for fabricated or incorrect legal authority. No sanction was imposed in this Order. |
|||||||||
| Syreeta LaShawn McNeal v. Vera L. Calvin, et al. | E.D. Missouri (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(1)
|
Show Cause Order | — | — | |
| Nguedi v. General Dynamics Information Technology | D. D.C. (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Unidentified |
False Quotes
Case Law
(3)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(2)
|
— | — | ||
| Hampton v. Lofton | CA Arizona (1d) (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1),
Exhibits or Submissions
(1)
|
— | — | ||
| Staley v. City of Elba, et al. | M.D. Alabama (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(3)
|
— | — | ||
|
The court (adopting the Magistrate Judge's Recommendation) observed that Plaintiff's filings included citations to cases and purported quotations that do not exist; Defendants pointed this out in their filing. The observation was noted but did not result in sanctions; the case was dismissed for failure to state a claim. |
|||||||||
| Christopher A. Ambrose v. Bandy X. Lee | D. Connecticut (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Misrepresented
Case Law
(2),
other
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Jaii LeShawn Quinones v. Unknown Love, et al. | E.D. Missouri (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(2)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(2)
|
Show Cause Order | — | — | |
| Zavadovsky v. Republic of Austria, et al. | D. D.C. (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(2)
False Quotes
Case Law
(4)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(2)
|
Warning | — | — | |
|
Source: Jesse Schaefer
|
|||||||||
| Ella and Ramin LLC v. Travelers Insurance Company | N.D. Illinois (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Unidentified |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(1)
|
— | — | ||
|
Source: Jesse Schaefer
|
|||||||||
| Elbert Coleman, III; Elbert Coleman, IV v. Nexo Capital Inc. | S.D. Indiana (USA) | 31 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
Outdated Advice
Repealed Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
|
Source: Jesse Schaefer
|
|||||||||
| Jacobs v. Payward, Inc. | D. Connecticut (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Admonishment | — | — | |
| Yves Hector Vimegnon v. Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. | D. Oregon (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Nicole Olbera, et al. v. Tiara Sykes | CA Indiana (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Edward Reynolds v. Progressive Technologies, Inc. | W.D. Tennessee (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Megan E. Bryan v. Child Support Enforcement Agency, State of Hawaiʻi | SC Hawaiʻi (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(2)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Shaun Fleck v. Del-One Federal Credit Union | D. Oregon (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Unidentified |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Beedemariam Kassaw v. Wal-Mart Corporation | W.D. New York (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
|
Brief Struck | — | — | |
| Randel Edward Page, Jr. v. Apperson Crump | W.D. Tennessee (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Unidentified |
Fabricated
Case Law
(3)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Souza v. City of Fitchburg | D. Massachusetts (USA) | 30 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Exhibits or Submissions
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Andrea K. Tantaros v. Fox News Network, LLC, et al. | S.D. New York (USA) | 27 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(7),
Legal Norm
(2)
False Quotes
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
|
Source: Volokh
|
|||||||||
| Pizzimenti v. City of Detroit, et al. | E.D. Michigan (USA) | 27 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(3)
False Quotes
Case Law
(1)
Misrepresented
Case Law
(1)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Patrick C. Shaltry, I v. Brent Benzing, et al. | E.D. Michigan (USA) | 27 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(2)
False Quotes
Case Law
(2)
|
Warning | — | — | |
| Lauren K. Morgan v. Michael P. Whitticom | SC Connecticut (USA) | 27 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(2)
|
Warning | — | — | |
|
The court found the defendant's post-judgment motion likely generated with AI assistance and containing numerous fictitious or inapplicable citations. The court identified specific miscitation(s) and characterized the submission as 'riddled with fake citations and legal proposition[s].' The court declined to impose a sanction now but warned the pro se defendant that future similar filings may result in sanctions under Connecticut Practice Book § 4-2(b). |
|||||||||
|
Source: Jesse Schaefer
|
|||||||||
| William C. Maxwell v. Dakota Michael & Chelsey Smith | S.D. Indiana (USA) | 26 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(1)
False Quotes
Case Law
(1)
|
Referral to Magistrate | — | ||
| Anthony Wallace v. PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, et al. | D. Nevada (USA) | 26 March 2026 | Pro Se Litigant | Implied |
Fabricated
Case Law
(5)
False Quotes
Case Law
(2)
|
Warning | — | — | |
|
Source: Jesse Schaefer
|
|||||||||