AI Hallucination Cases

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 (594 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)

If you know of a case that should be included, feel free to contact me.3 (Readers may also be interested in this project regarding AI use in academic papers.)

Based on this database, I have developped an automated reference checker that also detects hallucinations: PelAIkan. Check the Reports Report icon 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.

State
Party
Nature – Category
Nature – Subcategory

Case Court / Jurisdiction Date ▼ Party Using AI AI Tool Nature of Hallucination Outcome / Sanction Monetary Penalty Details Report(s)
Kim Elizabeth Harwell v. WestCare Nevada, Inc. D. Nevada (USA) 6 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant ChatGPT
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
Zack Jones v. Target Corporation D. Oregon (USA) 6 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Recommended granting terminating sanctions and dismissal of the case

Recommendations are here, and were later adopted.

In the Matter of the Estate of Kuerschner CA Arizona (USA) 5 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (2)
Adverse Costs Order 1
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Lawand Hill v. Sloppy Vinyl, LLC, et al. D. New Jersey (USA) 5 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
False Quotes Case Law (3)
Motion to dismiss granted; warning
Ryan Adam Dixon v. MultiCare Health System W.D. Washington (USA) 4 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2), Legal Norm (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (2)
Warning
In the Matter of the Estate of CAROL M. CAREY CA Washington (USA) 3 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (4)
Misrepresented Case Law (2)
Adverse Costs Order 1 USD
Source: Jesse Schaefer
In re Lusine Hakhverdyan C.D. California (Bankruptcy) (USA) 3 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Gregory Hardy v. Whitaker, et al. E.D. Mich. (Eastern District of Michigan, Northern Division) (USA) 2 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied Amended Complaint dismissed with prejudice; Plaintiff permanently enjoined from filing new federal actions in the district without leave of court.
No AI-generated or fabricated legal citations, false quotations, or misrepresentations of precedent were identified in the court's opinion.
Hardy v. Whitaker E.D. Michigan (USA) 2 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (4)
Plaintiff's amended complaint dismissed with prejudice
Fabian Antonio Thomas v. Officer Skylar Sillivent, et al. E.D. Texas (USA) 2 March 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
In the Matter of the Estate of Arturo Lopez CA Arizona (USA) 27 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Warning
Horton v. Colvin CA Alabama (USA) 27 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Doctrinal Work (1)
Affirmed in part; reversed in part; remanded (libel claim as to “meth house” reversed for further proceedings).
White v. The Owners, Strata Plan BCS3946 BC CRT (Canada) 27 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Legal Norm (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Source: Steve Finlay
Perry v. Exeter Finance LLC D. Arizona (USA) 26 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Warning
United States v. Robert Ponce, Jr. D. Nevada (USA) 26 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Volker v. Nygaard SC North Dakota (USA) 26 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Case dismissed with prejudice

The district court found Volker repeatedly submitted fictitious, AI-generated case citations and dismissed his action with prejudice as a Rule 11 sanction. The Supreme Court dismissed Volker's appeal as untimely, leaving the sanction and judgment in place.

Samuel K. v. Winsley Focia CA California (USA) 26 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1), other (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Appeal dismissed; appellant to bear her own costs on appeal.
Christina Leas Dunn v. Nelnet W.D. Arkansas (USA) 25 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Roosevelt Hunt, Jr. v. True Sky Federal Credit Union D. Kansas (USA) 25 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Straub v. Henderson DCA Florida (USA) 25 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied Affirmed.
Anthony Jama Hall v. Superior Court of Sacramento County CA California (USA) 25 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1), Legal Norm (1), other (1)
Warning
Moses v. State CATennessee (USA) 25 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)

The court observed that Moses' brief contained several citation errors and at least one fictitious case. The court stated it would disregard any legal authorities it could not verify as authentic and proceeded to decide the appeal on the merits, ultimately affirming the Claims Commission's dismissal.

Chapter Kris Jackson v. BOK Financial Corporation et al. (3) N.D. Oklahoma (USA) 24 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Struck filings; Monetary sanction 405 USD
Louis J. Blazy v. Department of State CBCA (USA) 24 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Exhibits or Submissions (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Formal admonishment
Wells Fargo Bank v. Frances W. Dean E.D. Texas (USA) 24 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Outdated Advice Overturned Case Law (1)
Warning
Gail Fung v. Liberty University W.D. Virginia (USA) 24 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
Ebony Sherisse Lucas v. Charles W. Scharf, et al. W.D. North Carolina (USA) 24 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (12)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Order to Show Cause
Kenneth Hawkins v. I.C. System, Inc. S.D. Texas (USA) 23 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Evgeny Yaroshevsky v. Karlin et al. E.D. New York (USA) 23 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Gemini
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented other (1)
Recommended adverse costs order
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Shawn Olali v. Ampex Brands, LLC N.D. Texas (USA) 23 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
Gerow v. Falcone D. Arizona (USA) 20 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Zlatkin v. Gladwin County, et al. E.D. Michigan (USA) 20 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Warning
Juandel Pena and Martina Ruiz v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. S.D. Florida (USA) 19 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Johnson v. Florida Department of Juvenile Justice et al M.D. Florida (USA) 19 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Brief Struck
In re: Marrett D. Massachusetts (USA) 19 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Kendle Mardis v. Dealer Loyalty Protection, Inc., et al. D. Ohio (USA) 18 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
Shaerica L. Walder v. Experian Information Solutions E.D. Texas (USA) 18 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
David Martin v. ODS Community Dental Insurance et al. D. Oregon (USA) 18 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Nia Elan Davis v. American Airlines, et al. D. Arizona (USA) 17 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Alejandro Rios v. Puente Hills Ford CA California (USA) 17 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Warning
HDO v MDF CA Alberta (Canada) 17 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Warning
CHP 1010 McDowell et al. v. James Costello Turpen D. Colorado (Bankruptcy) (USA) 17 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Landmark Development Group, LLC v. Lonnie LuPardus CA Kansas (USA) 13 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (3)
Arguments deemed waived
Merz v. City of Kalama W.D. Washington (USA) 13 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)

Merz corrected the Sorensen citation, saying he intended to cite Norg v. City of Seattle, 200 Wn.2d 749 (2023). The court declined to dismiss based solely on the inaccurate citation, noted the replacement authority was not closely analogous, and proceeded to dismiss the claims on the merits.

City of Dickinson v. Helgeson SC North Dakota (USA) 12 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (15)
500 USD
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Seifert v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC, et al. D. Idaho (USA) 12 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
City of Dickinson v. Helgeson SC North Dakota (USA) 12 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (5)
Monetary sanction 500 USD
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Jones v. Family Court at Whangarei Supreme Court (New Zealand) 11 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (2)
Warning
Flora Chumpitaz-Morales v. Pamela J. Bondi CA Tenth Circuit (USA) 11 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Misrepresented Case Law (2)
Warning
Keith Powell v. Employment Dep. & First Congregational Church of Portland CA Oregon (USA) 11 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Unidentified
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Monetary Sanction 500 USD
Source: Jesse Schaefer