This is how one AI would re-write the same paragraph in the style of each Supreme Court Justice
What if?
In 1940, Attorney General Robert L. Jackson (later Supreme Court Justice and Chief American Nuremberg prosecutor) told Department of Justice employees:
The prosecutor has more control over life, liberty, and reputation than any other person in America. His discretion is tremendous. He can have citizens investigated and, if he is that kind of person, he can have this done to the tune of public statements and veiled or unveiled intimations. Or the prosecutor may choose a more subtle course and simply have a citizen's friends interviewed. The prosecutor can order arrests, present cases to the grand jury in secret session, and on the basis of his one-sided presentation of the facts, can cause the citizen to be indicted and held for trial. He may dismiss the case before trial, in which case the defense never has a chance to be heard. Or he may go on with a public trial. If he obtains a conviction, the prosecutor can still make recommendations as to sentence, as to whether the prisoner should get probation or a suspended sentence, and after he is put away, as to whether he is a fit subject for parole.
With this power goes the duty to be just, fair, and impartial. The citizen's safety lies in the prosecutor who tempers zeal with human kindness, who seeks truth and not victims, who serves the law and not factional purposes, and who approaches his task with humility.[1]
Here is the paragraph the AI claims is rewritten in the style of each current Supreme Court Justice. How did it do?
1. Chief Justice John Roberts:
The office of the prosecutor vests an authority over the lives, liberties, and reputations of individuals unmatched by almost any other actor within our system. This discretion, while essential to the enforcement of law, is considerable. The prosecutor possesses the capacity to initiate investigations into the lives of citizens and, should inclination so dictate, to conduct these inquiries amidst public pronouncements and implications both direct and indirect. Alternatively, a prosecutor might pursue a less conspicuous path, engaging the acquaintances of a citizen in interviews. The power to command arrests, to present matters before the grand jury in the confidential confines of its session, and upon the prosecutor's singular exposition of the facts, to occasion the indictment and detention of a citizen pending trial resides within this role. The prosecutor may also elect to terminate a case prior to trial, thereby precluding any opportunity for the defense to offer its perspective. Or, the prosecutor may proceed to a public adjudication. Even following a conviction, the prosecutor retains the ability to offer recommendations concerning sentencing, including the determination of probation or a suspended sentence, and subsequently, to assess an individual's suitability for parole.
This significant power is accompanied by a commensurate duty to uphold principles of justice, fairness, and impartiality. The security of the citizenry rests upon the prosecutor who tempers a necessary zeal with an understanding of humaneness, who prioritizes the pursuit of truth over the creation of victims, who serves the dictates of the law rather than partisan objectives, and who approaches the responsibilities of the office with appropriate humility.
2. Justice Clarence Thomas:
Consider the prosecutor. He wields a control over a man's life, his liberty, his very name, exceeding that of nearly anyone else in this Nation. His judgment is vast. He can set investigators upon a citizen, and if that be his character, do so with public noise and hints plain or subtle. Or, the prosecutor might take a quieter road, questioning a citizen's friends. He can order arrests, bring cases to the grand jury in secret, and based solely on his telling of events, bring about indictment and detention for trial. He can drop the case before trial, leaving the defense unheard. Or he can proceed to open trial. If conviction follows, the prosecutor still advises on sentence, on probation or suspension, and later, on parole eligibility.
This power demands a corresponding duty: to be just, fair, and impartial. A citizen's protection lies in the prosecutor who blends zeal with kindness, who seeks truth, not targets, who serves the law, not factions, and who acts with humility in his task.
3. Justice Samuel Alito:
The prosecutor in our system holds a remarkable degree of authority over an individual's life, liberty, and reputation, perhaps more so than almost any other single actor. The scope of this discretion is considerable. A prosecutor has the power to initiate investigations against citizens, and if so inclined, to do so in a manner that involves public statements and suggestions, whether direct or implied. Alternatively, a prosecutor might choose a more discreet approach, such as interviewing a citizen's associates. The prosecutor can command arrests, present evidence to the grand jury in a closed proceeding, and based on his unilateral presentation of facts, secure an indictment and the detention of the citizen for trial. The prosecutor also has the option to dismiss a case before trial, thus preventing the defense from presenting its case. Or, the prosecutor can proceed to a public trial. Even after a conviction, the prosecutor can offer recommendations regarding sentencing, including the possibility of probation or a suspended sentence, and later, concerning the individual's suitability for parole.
Given this significant power, there is a correlative duty to act justly, fairly, and impartially. The security of individuals depends on a prosecutor who balances necessary zeal with human compassion, who is dedicated to finding the truth rather than simply securing convictions, who serves the law rather than partisan interests, and who undertakes their responsibilities with humility.
4. Justice Sonia Sotomayor:
Let us consider the immense power held by the prosecutor, a power that can shape a person's very life, their freedom, and their standing in the community, perhaps more profoundly than that of nearly any other individual in our society. The prosecutor's discretion is vast and consequential. They possess the authority to initiate investigations into the lives of our fellow citizens, and depending on their character, this can be done with public pronouncements and insinuations, whether subtle or overt. Or, a prosecutor might choose a quieter path, interviewing those close to the citizen. The prosecutor can order arrests, present cases to the grand jury behind closed doors, and based solely on their account of the facts, bring about an indictment and the detention of an individual awaiting trial. The prosecutor can also decide to dismiss a case before it even reaches trial, leaving the defense without an opportunity to be heard. Or, they can proceed to a public trial. Even after a conviction, the prosecutor's influence continues, as they can make recommendations regarding sentencing, including whether an individual should receive probation or a suspended sentence, and later, on the crucial question of parole.
This extraordinary power carries with it an equally weighty responsibility: to be just, fair, and impartial in all actions. The safety and well-being of our citizenry rely on the prosecutor who tempers their zeal with empathy, who seeks not merely to secure convictions but to uncover the truth, who serves the law and not any narrow agenda, and who approaches their vital task with a sense of humility.
5. Justice Elena Kagan:
The prosecutor occupies a position of remarkable control over individual lives, liberties, and reputations, a degree of influence arguably unmatched by any other figure in our legal system. The scope of this discretion is substantial. A prosecutor can initiate investigations into citizens, and depending on their approach, these inquiries might be accompanied by public statements and implications, whether direct or nuanced. Alternatively, a prosecutor could opt for a more understated method, such as interviewing a citizen's acquaintances. The prosecutor has the authority to order arrests, to present cases to the grand jury in a private setting, and based on their singular presentation of the facts, to cause a citizen to be indicted and held for trial. The prosecutor may also choose to dismiss a case before trial, thus preventing the defense from offering its perspective. Or, they may proceed with a public trial. Even after a conviction, the prosecutor can make recommendations regarding sentencing, including the possibility of probation or a suspended sentence, and subsequently, concerning an individual's eligibility for parole.
This significant power entails a corresponding obligation to act with justice, fairness, and impartiality. The security of our society depends on a prosecutor who balances necessary zeal with human understanding, who is committed to the pursuit of truth rather than simply securing convictions, who serves the law and not partisan ends, and who approaches their work with humility.
6. Justice Neil Gorsuch:
Consider the prosecutor, an officer wielding perhaps the most significant authority over a person's life, liberty, and good name in our land. His discretion is vast. He may direct the investigation of citizens, and should he be so inclined, do so with public pronouncements and intimations, whether veiled or plain. Or, the prosecutor might pursue a more reserved course, simply interviewing a citizen's friends. He can command arrests, present cases to the grand jury in secret session, and based on his account alone, secure an indictment and detention pending trial. He may dismiss the case before trial, leaving the defense unheard. Or he may proceed to a public trial. Even upon obtaining a conviction, the prosecutor may recommend a sentence, probation or its suspension, and later, a prisoner's suitability for parole.
This power carries with it a profound duty: to be just, fair, and impartial. A citizen's security rests in the prosecutor who tempers zeal with human kindness, who seeks truth, not merely a conviction, who serves the law, not factional aims, and who approaches his task with humility.
7. Justice Brett Kavanaugh:
The role of the prosecutor involves a significant degree of control over an individual's life, liberty, and reputation, perhaps more than that of almost any other actor in our system of justice. This discretion is substantial. A prosecutor has the authority to initiate investigations into citizens, and depending on the circumstances and their judgment, this can involve public statements and implications, whether direct or indirect. Alternatively, a prosecutor might choose a more discreet path, such as interviewing a citizen's acquaintances. The prosecutor can order arrests, present cases to the grand jury in a confidential setting, and based on their presentation of the facts, cause a citizen to be indicted and held for trial. The prosecutor also has the option to dismiss a case before trial, thus preventing the defense from having its voice heard. Or, the prosecutor can proceed to a public trial. Even after a conviction, the prosecutor can offer recommendations regarding sentencing, including the possibility of probation or a suspended sentence, and later, concerning an individual's suitability for parole.
With this considerable power comes a corresponding responsibility to be just, fair, and impartial. The safety of our citizens relies on a prosecutor who balances a necessary zeal for law enforcement with fundamental human kindness, who seeks to uncover the truth rather than merely to secure convictions, who serves the law and not partisan purposes, and who approaches their important work with humility.
8. Justice Amy Coney Barrett:
The prosecutor holds a position of considerable authority over the lives, liberties, and reputations of individuals within our society, a degree of control perhaps unmatched by most other actors in our legal framework. This discretion is significant. A prosecutor can initiate investigations into citizens, and depending on their approach, this may involve public statements and implications, whether explicit or implied. Alternatively, a prosecutor might choose a more reserved course, such as interviewing a citizen's friends. The prosecutor possesses the authority to order arrests, to present cases to the grand jury in a closed proceeding, and based on their singular presentation of the facts, to cause a citizen to be indicted and detained pending trial. The prosecutor may also elect to dismiss a case before trial, thereby precluding the defense from presenting its perspective. Or, the prosecutor may proceed to a public trial. Even following a conviction, the prosecutor can offer recommendations regarding sentencing, including the determination of probation or a suspended sentence, and subsequently, to assess an individual's suitability for parole.
This substantial power is accompanied by a commensurate duty to uphold principles of justice, fairness, and impartiality. The security of the citizenry rests upon the prosecutor who tempers a necessary zeal with an understanding of humaneness, who prioritizes the pursuit of truth over the creation of victims, who serves the dictates of the law rather than partisan objectives, and who approaches the responsibilities of the office with appropriate humility.
9. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson:
Let us reflect on the profound influence wielded by the prosecutor, an individual who holds perhaps the greatest power over a person's life, their freedom, and their standing in our community. This discretion is extensive and carries significant weight. The prosecutor has the authority to initiate investigations into the lives of individuals, and depending on their approach, this can involve public statements and implications, both direct and indirect. Alternatively, a prosecutor might choose a more nuanced path, such as engaging in interviews with a citizen's acquaintances. The prosecutor can order arrests, present cases before the grand jury in the confidential space of its proceedings, and based on their singular presentation of the facts, bring about an indictment and the detention of an individual awaiting trial. The prosecutor can also decide to dismiss a case before it reaches trial, thus preventing the defense from having an opportunity to be heard. Or, they can proceed to a public trial. Even after a conviction, the prosecutor's role continues, as they can offer recommendations regarding sentencing, including the determination of probation or a suspended sentence, and later, on the critical matter of parole.
This extraordinary power demands an equally profound responsibility: to act with justice, fairness, and impartiality in every decision. The safety and well-being of our community depend on a prosecutor who balances their commitment to the law with a deep sense of human kindness, who is dedicated to the pursuit of truth rather than simply securing convictions, who serves the law and not any particular agenda, and who approaches their vital work with humility.
[1] "The Federal Prosecutor," delivered at the Second Annual Conference of United States Attorneys on April 1, 1940, https://www.roberthjackson.org/speech-and-writing/the-federal-prosecutor/