The Aporia
Volokh, E. (2026, September 14). Oklahoma Judge's Ruling Contained AI Hallucinations. Reason. https://reason.com/volokh/2026/09/14/oklahoma-judges-ruling-contained-ai-hallucinations/
Volokh, Eugene. “Oklahoma Judge's Ruling Contained AI Hallucinations.” Reason, 14 Sept. 2026, https://reason.com/volokh/2026/09/14/oklahoma-judges-ruling-contained-ai-hallucinations/.
Volokh, Eugene. “Oklahoma Judge's Ruling Contained AI Hallucinations.” Reason, September 14, 2026. https://reason.com/volokh/2026/09/14/oklahoma-judges-ruling-contained-ai-hallucinations/.
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Judge Lawrence Wheeler of the District Court of Stephens County, Oklahoma, disclosed that he used ChatGPT during research and inadvertently included non-existent case citations in an order. This revelation prompted an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). The OSBI also probed claims that Judge Wheeler offered to amend an order in exchange for a dismissal of a writ seeking relief from the Oklahoma Supreme Court and allegations he eavesdropped on jury deliberations, as detailed in a letter by prosecutor Jason Hicks to the state attorney general's office.
In response to these allegations, Attorney General Gentner Drummond reviewed the OSBI’s findings and decided not to pursue further action against Judge Wheeler. The decision was based on the absence of evidence supporting additional criminal claims beyond the initial misuse of AI-generated content.