Poll Highlights

Question 1

Would you feel comfortable relying on legal advice provided by a computer?

Yes: 32.2%

No: 66.7%

Question 1B

If so, on what services would you feel comfortable relying on legal advice from a computer?

To handle a case in which you are being sued.

26.7%

To prepare a will.

75.9%

To handle a real estate closing.

52.3%

To deal with the IRS.

47.5%

None of the above.

8.8%

Question 2

Would you feel comfortable in relying on legal advice from someone who did not attend law school?

Yes: 14.1%

No: 85.4%

Question 2B

If so, in what cases would you feel comfortable in relying on legal advice from someone who did not attend law school?

To handle a case in which you are being sued.

21.3%

To prepare a will.

56.0%

To handle a real estate closing.

50.5%

To deal with the IRS.

40.4%

None of the above.

23.2%

Question 3

Would you rather have your case decided by a computer generated mathematical formula, a judge, a jury, or an arbitrator who may or may not have legal training?

Computer-generated mathematical formula.

5.1%

A judge.

46.7%

A jury.

40.4%

An arbitrator.

6.3%

Comments and Cross-Tabs

Caveat

Because Question 1B is asked only of the 32.2% of the sampling who responded “yes” in Question 1; and because Question 2B is asked only of the 14.1% of the sampling who responded “yes” in Question 2, the cross-tab samplings (i.e. age, gender, income, etc.) for 1B and 2B are too small to be described as a scientific sampling. They still, however, can be cited and used as informational or, in some cases, representative as long as they are portrayed as a small sampling.

General Observation

  • In almost every case, women are less likely than men to trust computers for legal advice for any of the services cited. They are also less likely than men to trust legal advice from someone who didn’t attend law school.

Question 1 (Legal advice from computers.)

  • The great majority of respondents (66.7%) would not rely on computers for legal advice. Nevertheless, the fact that 32% would, must be considered substantial.
  • African-Americans are the least likely to trust computers for legal advise among the three racial/ethic groups measured. great majority of respondents (66.7%) would not rely on computers for legal advice. Nevertheless, the fact that 32% would, must be considered substantial.

Question 1B (Different services for which respondents would trust computers for legal advise.)

  • Of those respondents who said they would rely on computers for legal advice (Question 1), a majority of them would rely on computers for legal advice for preparing a will (75.9%) and handling a real estate closing (52.3%), and just under half to deal with the IRS (47.5%)..
  • 92% of those aged 60 and over would rely on computers to prepare a will, the largest percentage of any age group measured. But across all demographic groups, large percentages would rely on computers for preparing a will.
  • In no demographic group would a majority trust legal advice from a computer to handle a lawsuit. Astoundingly, there are large minorities in various demographic categories who would. (e.g. 39% of high school graduates and 33.7% of those with a household income of less than $30,000.)

Question 2 (Legal advice from someone who didn't graduate from law school.)

  • Across all demographic groups measured, only very small percentages would rely on legal advice from someone who did not attend law school. So, even where there are differences within demographic groups (e.g. African-American responses vs. Hispanic responses), they are not statistically meaningful.

Question 3 (In a lawsuit, would you prefer your case to be decided by a computer generated mathematical formula, a judge, a jury, an arbitrator?) 

  • No single option elicited a majority.
  • The youngest cohort (18-29) had the lowest percentage (32.3%) preferring a jury.
  • Those preferring a computer generated formula to decide their case, never exceeded 10% in any demographic group.
  • There was a virtual even split among white respondents in their preference between a judge (43%) and a jury (46%). Black respondents prefer a judge to a jury (52% to 31%). Likewise, Hispanics overwhelmingly prefer judges to juries (54% to 29%).