Criminal Law Library BlogDavid G. Badertscher
“Every generation of legal researchers inherits new tools. Their enduring responsibility is to learn how to use them wisely.”
Introduction
Articles Posted in Library Professional Development
Understanding Budget Reconciliation: How Congress Fast Tracks Major Fiscal Legislation
Budget reconciliation is a special congressional procedure created by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 that allows Congress to consider legislation affecting federal spending, revenues (taxes), and the debt limit under expedited procedures. Most notably, reconciliation bills can pass the Senate with a simple majority vote rather than the 60 votes normally needed to overcome a filibuster. As a result, reconciliation has become one of the most important tools for enacting major fiscal policy changes. The following is an overview of the congressional budget reconciliation process and a discussion of its importance to librarians, researchers, and the general public.
What Is Reconciliation?
Reconciliation is designed to align existing laws with the fiscal goals established in a congressional budget resolution. It can be used to:
Interpretability and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG): How They are Reshaping AI Legal Research
Artificial intelligence is now woven into the daily fabric of legal work. From case law research to contract analysis and compliance monitoring, AI systems are accelerating tasks that once required hours of manual review. But as these tools become more capable, the legal profession faces a central challenge: How can lawyers trust AI in high‑stakes environments where accuracy, transparency, and defensibility are non‑negotiable?
Two concepts have emerged as foundational to answering that question: interpretability and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). While distinct, they work together to create AI systems that are transparent, grounded in evidence, and aligned with professional legal standards. Although both have existed for some time, their integration into legal research remains in its infancy, and there is much to learn. This post explores how these systems are reshaping AI legal research based on a review of current industry sources.
Understanding Interpretability in Legal AI
Information Insights (March 30, 2026): A Profession in Transition
The March 30, 2026 issue of Information Insights, published by Association for Information Science and Technology, offers a timely snapshot of a profession in transition. From the growing centrality of artificial intelligence to the strategic implications of the ASIS&T SLA merger, this edition highlights how information professionals are redefining their roles in an increasingly data-driven and interconnected world. The selected items underscore a clear message: adapting to technological change while strengthening professional collaboration is now essential to the future of information science. The following includes a Synopsis of the March 30, 2026 issue for the convenience of some, followed by a link to the entire issue.
SYNOPSIS:
The March 30, 2026 issue of Information Insights highlights a profession in transition, shaped by artificial intelligence, organizational consolidation, and a renewed emphasis on global collaboration and professional development. The newsletter blends association updates with broader trends affecting information science, libraries, and knowledge management.
Why Lawyers (And Law Librarians) Should Care About Metaphysics
Metaphysics is often described as the branch of philosophy that asks the most fundamental question of all: what is real? It explores the nature of existence, identity, causation, and the structure of reality itself. While this may sound abstract, metaphysics is far from remote. In practice, it quietly shapes the assumptions underlying every legal system and every act of legal research.
From the time of Aristotle and Plato, metaphysics has served as the foundation of traditional philosophy. It provides the conceptual framework within which other fields, knowledge, reasoning, and ethics, operate. In law, that framework is not theoretical; it is embedded in doctrine, interpretation, and everyday practice.
Consider a few familiar legal questions:
American Association of Law Libraries (AALL): The Education Edge
Welcome to The Education Edge—the new name and refreshed look of what was formerly the [AALL] Education Update. Designed to keep you learning and moving forward, The Education Edge highlights timely resources, ideas, and opportunities to support your professional growth.
Explore resources of The Education Edge.
Overview of Two VERDICT Columns by Marci A. Hamilton on the Epstein Files*
Two recent opinion columns published on Justia Verdict – Legal Analysis and Commentary from Justia examine the legal, political, and moral implications of the continuing disclosures surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein investigations. Written by Professor Marci A. Hamilton of the University of Pennsylvania and founder of CHILD USA, the essays present a forceful argument that accountability for systemic abuse requires sustained legal pressure and public transparency. The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the official position of Justia.
1. “The Three Avenues to Justice in the Epstein Cases” (Feb. 24, 2026)
In The Three Avenues to Justice in the Epstein Cases, Professor Hamilton argues that meaningful accountability is likely to emerge through three principal legal pathways rather than through federal prosecutorial initiative alone.
From Capability to Integration: A Lawyer’s View of AI’s Next Phase
A recent practitioner commentary offers a confident assessment of the current state of large language models (LLMs) in legal practice, arguing that the primary barriers to adoption are no longer questions of intelligence or reliability but rather issues of infrastructure and workflow integration. Writing from the perspective of a lawyer who uses advanced models daily, the author contends that modern systems have already reached a level of practical competence sufficient for much of routine legal work, and that the profession’s hesitation reflects outdated assumptions about hallucinations and model limitations.
Central to the argument is the claim that hallucinations, once the dominant concern surrounding generative AI, have largely receded as a meaningful obstacle. According to the author’s experience, newer models rarely produce fabricated information, and overall error rates compare favorably with those of competent junior associates. This view reflects a broader shift in perception: rather than treating LLMs as experimental tools requiring constant skepticism, the author frames them as increasingly dependable collaborators capable of supporting substantive legal tasks.
The post also challenges prevailing narratives about the intellectual difficulty of legal work. While acknowledging that certain cases demand deep expertise, the author suggests that the majority of legal tasks rely on skills such as careful reasoning, synthesis of precedent, structured writing, and research , areas where modern LLMs already excel. By reframing legal practice as process-driven rather than exclusively intellectually rarefied, the commentary positions AI as well aligned with the day-to-day realities of the profession.
Unlock the Future of Legal Information: 2025 AALL State of the Profession Report
FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LAW LIBRARIES:
The legal information landscape is shifting faster than ever—AI, staffing changes, and innovative services are reshaping the profession. The 2025 AALL State of the Profession Report delivers the data, trends, and real-world insights you need to stay ahead. Use this essential resource to guide planning, showcase impact, and anticipate what’s next. Available in digital, print, or bundle formats… The AALL State of the Profession report offers a comprehensive view of the law library and legal information landscape, highlighting the contributions, challenges, and aspirations of legal information professionals. Designed as a tool for benchmarking, advocacy, strategic planning, and personal growth, it serves as a valuable resource for navigating and advancing the field. The 2025 State of the Profession was published on June 24,2025.
Brain Stimulation and Crime Prevention: Separating Science from Speculation
In recent years, advances in neuroscience have sparked interest in whether brain stimulation technologies might contribute to crime prevention. Techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have been studied for their effects on impulse control, aggression, and moral decision-making traits often associated with criminal behavior. While this research is scientifically intriguing, its relevance to criminal justice policy remains limited and contested.
The Neuroscience Rationale
Much of the interest in brain stimulation stems from findings linking antisocial or impulsive behavior to dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain responsible for executive control, emotional regulation, and judgment. Laboratory studies suggest that stimulating this area can temporarily enhance self control or reduce aggressive responses in controlled settings. These findings have led some commentators to speculate whether neurological interventions could someday complement traditional crime-prevention strategies.