AI-Assisted Custody Note Tools: Benefits and Limits
By Robert Cashman, Solicitor. Published . Updated .
Criminal defence solicitor in England and Wales. General guidance on police station work. It isn't legal advice.
Some practitioners ask whether AI can draft custody notes. The useful question is narrower: where can structured software speed up recording without replacing professional responsibility?
Disclaimer: General workflow information for criminal defence professionals in England and Wales. Not legal advice on any case. Outcomes depend on the facts and applicable law.
Where software helps
- Consistent section order (disclosure, advice, interview, outcome)
- Offline recording at stations with poor Wi‑Fi
- PDF export and billing fields
- Officer email templates for disclosure and follow-up
Where humans must lead
- Evaluating disclosure and advising on interview strategy
- Recording client instructions accurately
- Deciding what to include in the evidential record
Download Custody Note: structured notes, free during beta.