Legal Aid Society of Westchester County transforms criminal defense with AI-powered case management system

The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County (LASW) provides free criminal and family court legal representation to people who can’t afford an attorney, handling appeals and post-conviction matters with the fundamental belief that equal access to effective representation is vital to upholding justice. As technology permeates criminal justice, LASW recognized the urgent need to adapt, bridging the gap between technologically advanced law enforcement and under-equipped public defenders.

With support from the AWS Imagine Grant, LASW developed a client database program that revolutionizes how public defenders manage cases, review evidence, and protect constitutional rights. As a result, LASW’s legal teams were able to serve their clients better and advance justice reform. The AWS Imagine Grant is a public grant program that provides both cash and Amazon Web Services (AWS) credit funding to registered nonprofit organizations.

Overcoming the digital divide in criminal defense

LASW struggled to keep pace as technological advances transformed criminal justice, particularly with the surge in digital surveillance footage and other electronic evidence that demanded countless hours of manual review. The organization’s outdated infrastructure, built on two incompatible programs, created significant inefficiencies in case management and complicated the crucial balance between secure client data storage and attorneys’ need for immediate access to case materials.

This technological gap wasn’t merely operational—as law enforcement agencies adopted increasingly sophisticated digital tools and analytics capabilities, LASW’s ability to effectively challenge prosecutions and ensure fair representation was at risk without equivalent technologies at its disposal. The growing disparity between prosecution and defense resources threatened to undermine LASW’s core mission of providing quality public defense services.

Building a comprehensive AWS powered solution

Working closely with AWS Professional Services programmers, LASW developed a comprehensive solution that addresses the organization’s most pressing technological challenges. The system incorporates multiple AWS services to create an integrated platform that automates file-opening processes, manages calendars, and streamlines evidence reviews. The Imagine Grant’s combination of cash and AWS credits helped LASW implement:

• Net-new application development creating a custom web application tailored specifically to public defense needs
• Managed artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) services for intelligent document processing and evidence analysis
• Content storage and backup providing secure, reliable access to sensitive client data
• Managed security services protecting confidential attorney-client information
• Data analytics and visualization enabling comprehensive case reporting
• Generative AI capabilities through an advanced chat-based assistant system

At the heart of LASW’s solution is an advanced AI chat assistant that enhances communication and integration across the system. This chat assistant aids attorneys in case evaluation by quickly identifying relevant information in large datasets. The system’s three core components work in harmony: client file management organizes case information, streamlined discovery processes facilitate evidence review, and efficient storage management provides data security. The platform also generates comprehensive case reports, equipping attorneys with valuable insights to build stronger defenses. Together, these features significantly transform LASW’s operations, improving its ability to serve clients and uphold constitutional rights.

Transforming efficiency and client advocacy

The AWS powered solution addresses LASW’s database inefficiencies by streamlining discovery review from hours to minutes, freeing up staff to focus on client advocacy rather than administrative tasks. The program’s key impact lies in leveling the technological playing field between prosecution and defense, with AI-enhanced systems rapidly identifying relevant evidence segments and enabling more time for case strategy and courtroom preparation.

The integrated platform eliminates the need for multiple systems by providing secure, comprehensive access to client information, case timelines, and evidence review in one interface. With powerful reporting capabilities and customized workflow features, the system—currently in beta testing with Q4 deployment—promises to transform LASW’s delivery of legal services to vulnerable populations requiring public defense.

Insights for nonprofit digital transformation

The key insight from LASW’s experience is the importance of envisioning the desired future first, then working backward to identify actionable steps. Rather than being overwhelmed by the scope of needed changes, organizations should think big and dream big about their aspirations, then break down the path into manageable priorities.

Each success builds on previous achievements, creating momentum toward long-term goals. Organizations can follow this approach to make steady progress while learning and adapting along the way, ultimately achieving transformational change that seemed impossible at the outset. By partnering with AWS and taking advantage of the Imagine Grant program, LASW accessed expertise and resources to build enterprise-level capabilities while maintaining focus on its core mission of providing effective legal representation to those who can’t afford it.

How you can support Legal Aid Society of Westchester County

Visit LASW’s website to learn more about the organization’s work. If you have any questions, feel free to email the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County or call (914) 286-3400.