THE ROLE OF AI-DRIVEN CHATBOTS IN REVOLUTIONISING LEGAL AID ACCESS FOR VICTIMS IN THE PRE-COMPLAINT STAGE

Abstract

Access to justice is an integral part of most modern democratic nations. The right to freeLegal aid in India is both statutory and constitutional. However, India still struggles todevelop a robust strategy for victim support and legal assistance, including the provision offree legal aid and advice from the pre-offense registration stage onward. Social stigma andvictimization, combined with ineffective victim support, cause many victims of crime tohesitate to seek legal recourse by approaching authorities. Most of these victims belongto deprived social classes and remain helpless victims of crime. Today, victims lack a senseOf legal empowerment because effective legal advice mechanisms are absent for pre-crimecomplaints. Their lack of confidence in the criminal justice system leads to problems suchas underreporting of crime. This Study investigates the potential and utility Of AI- andtechnology-based initiatives to change the dynamics of legal assistance and advice forvictims in India. Additionally, a cross-jurisdictional analysis of best practices in AI-enabled legal aid and advice will be conducted to develop appropriate strategies to protectvictims' rights and to link An AI-powered legal aid to victims at the pre-trial stage.