Judge Megan Goldish serves on the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Domestic Violence Court Division, where she oversees a broad docket of criminal and civil matters, including daily orders of protection and felony preliminary hearings. Her work requires careful review of confidential records, motions, and testimony, all within a fast-paced courtroom environment. In this context, the topic of artificial intelligence in the courtroom is especially relevant. As courts confront increasing caseloads and administrative demands, technologies that assist with organization, scheduling, and research are becoming more visible behind the scenes.
Drawing on years of experience as a judge and former Assistant State’s Attorney, Judge Megan Goldish understands both the operational pressures courts face and the importance of maintaining fairness, transparency, and human judgment. Her professional background provides practical insight into how emerging tools can support, rather than replace, the core responsibilities of the judiciary.
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Courtroom
Artificial intelligence is in use beyond Silicon Valley labs. It is already reshaping how courtrooms function, often in ways the public does not see. While judges still wear robes, hearings still happen in person, and decisions remain human, AI is beginning to influence the machinery behind judicial proceedings in meaningful and sometimes surprising ways.
Courtroom work involves managing enormous amounts of information. Case files can span years, contain sensitive records, and include complex legal arguments. AI-powered tools are now helping courts organize, search, and analyze these materials far more efficiently than traditional methods. Instead of manually sifting through stacks of documents, judges and court staff can use AI-assisted systems to quickly locate relevant filings, note missing information, or identify patterns across cases. This doesn’t replace judgment; it enhances preparation and allows decision-makers to focus on substance rather than logistics.
One of the most significant changes AI brings is speed. Courts across the US struggle with backlogs that delay justice for everyone involved. AI systems can help schedule cases more intelligently and predict how long hearings might take, reducing administrative bottlenecks. By streamlining routine tasks, courts can move cases forward faster without sacrificing accuracy or fairness. For litigants, this can mean fewer continuances, clearer timelines, and less time spent waiting for resolutions that affect their lives.
AI is also changing how legal research is conducted. Traditional legal research can be time-consuming and expensive, which gives an unfair advantage to people with more resources. AI-driven research tools can rapidly scan vast bodies of law, summarize key rulings, and surface relevant precedents. When used responsibly, this technology has the potential to level the playing field by making high-quality legal information more accessible and reducing disparities tied to time and cost.
Another emerging impact lies in language and accessibility. AI-powered transcription and translation tools are improving the accuracy of court records and helping non-English speakers better understand proceedings. Real-time transcription can assist judges, attorneys, and the public by creating clearer records and minimizing misunderstandings. For individuals with disabilities, AI-driven accessibility tools may also help courts better accommodate diverse needs, reinforcing the idea that justice should be understandable and reachable for everyone.
Of course, these changes come with important cautions. Courts operate on trust, transparency, and accountability. AI systems must be carefully evaluated to ensure they do not introduce bias, rely on flawed data, or obscure how decisions are made. Judicial proceedings cannot become black boxes. Judges remain responsible for outcomes, and AI must remain a tool, not a decision-maker. Maintaining clear ethical boundaries is essential to preserving public confidence in the legal system.
Perhaps the most revolutionary shift is philosophical rather than technical. AI allows courts to reimagine how justice is delivered in a modern society. By reducing clerical burdens and improving efficiency, judges and court staff may have more time to focus on what truly matters: listening, evaluating credibility, and applying the law thoughtfully and fairly to all citizens. In that sense, technology can support a more human-centered justice system rather than undermine it.
Artificial intelligence will not replace judges, juries, or the fundamental principles of due process. But it is already reshaping how courts operate behind the scenes. When implemented with care and transparency, AI has the potential to make judicial proceedings more efficient and more responsive to the communities courts serve.
About Judge Megan Goldish
Judge Megan Goldish is a Circuit Court Judge in Cook County, Illinois, assigned to the Domestic Violence Court Division. She hears high-volume criminal and civil matters, including orders of protection and felony preliminary hearings. Before joining the bench in 2014, she served for approximately 17 years as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney. Judge Goldish earned her juris doctor from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and remains active in legal education, professional organizations, and community service.
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