Legal tech can be designed to suggest race-neutral outcomes rather than predict them

Evidence

We describe a project to develop a predictive model that can render prosecutorial decision-making more equitable and resistant to racial bias. The project involves building a model that, based on initial case information that a prosecutor receives, suggests how the case would resolve if the defendant were treated race-neutrally. — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 1210 (#expands, via linked claim)

The approach we are suggesting here is distinct, as the goal is to remove suspect features, such as racial bias, from the model, thus bringing its predictions into closer accord with Constitutional mandates for racially equitable treatment of criminal defendants by state actors. Rather than predict likely outcomes, the objective for the model is to suggest how the case would resolve if the defendant were treated race-neutrally. For this reason, we call the model a “suggestive model.” — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 1219 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Closed case files can anchor prosecutors to race-neutral decision baselines; Legal technology can identify and correct bias rather than only amplify it — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law: A Definitive Look at…, 36; Prosecutorial decisions can be anchored to race-neutral predicted outcomes (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Predictive models can suggest case outcomes under counterfactual race-neutral processing. #expands (0.95) — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 1210
• A suggestive model removes race to predict race-neutral case outcomes #expands (0.95)
• A bias-removing model should predict counterfactual race-neutral outcomes, not likely ones. #corroborates (0.92) — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 1219