The Dangers of Relying Too Much on Technology in Legal Processes

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Surrey has highlighted the dangers of excessive reliance on technology in legal proceedings, using the Post Office Horizon scandal as a prominent illustration.

The scandal, stemming from the introduction of the Horizon software in the early 2000s, resulted in fictitious accounting shortfalls and led to unjust accusations of theft against sub-postmasters. More than 700 individuals faced legal action based on inaccurate data, leading to financial devastation, emotional anguish, and even incarceration.

Dr Michael McGuire, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Surrey, cautions against the drawbacks of “technological justice,” emphasizing the substantial risk of miscarriages of justice when legal decisions are primarily based on technical data without thorough review and consideration of social context.

The study employs a “zemiological” framework to examine the various harms caused by the scandal, such as financial losses, emotional trauma, and societal harm. While the zemiological approach offers valuable insights, the authors argue that it alone fails to fully comprehend how technology itself can contribute to such injustices.

Dr McGuire emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating the Post Office scandal through the prism of technology and justice in order to develop more robust frameworks for preventing future miscarriages of justice and ensuring responsible integration of technology within the legal system.

The study, published in the Howard Journal of Crime and Justice, underscores the pressing need for a more nuanced comprehension of the interaction between technology and legal processes. This understanding is vital for fostering a legal system that is both effective and rooted in critical human judgment.