MG judge uses AI in vote that acquits man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl

Tribunal of Justiça of The decision occurred on the 9th Câmara Criminal Especializada, in a trial held in February 2026. The rapporteur, judge Magid Nauef Láuar, considered that the relationship constituted a consensual emotional bond, with prior knowledge of the victim’s parents. The acquittal reversed the first instance sentence, which had imposed a sentence of nine years and four months in prison on the defendant.

The girl and the accused maintained a marital relationship, including the birth of a daughter. The judge highlighted that there was no violence, coercion, fraud or embarrassment. Ele assessed that the punishment would represent disproportionate state interference in the consolidated family reality. The victim’s mother was also acquitted of the charge of omission.

Repercussion in the judicial sphere

The decision generated immediate questions about the application of the crime of rape of a vulnerable person. Ministério Público of Minas Gerais (MPMG) appealed the acquittal. The body intends to take the case to higher courts, such as the STJ or the STF, to reinstate the original conviction.

The Conselho Nacional of Justiça (CNJ) opened proceedings to investigate the conduct of the TJMG and the rapporteur. Corregedoria Nacional ordered clarifications within five days. The case is being processed under procedural secrecy.

Use of artificial intelligence in the ruling

The published ruling revealed an excerpt that indicates the use of an artificial intelligence tool in drafting the vote. On page 45 of the document, the command “Now improve the exposition and reasoning of this paragraph” remained. Logo Below is a reformulated version of the text, with more concise language about defensive theses and material atypicality.

The prompt directed the improvement of a paragraph related to insufficient evidence and the excuse of guilt. The version processed by AI projects the effects of the accused’s acquittal on the imputation to the mother. Resoluções of the CNJ allows the auxiliary use of AI in judicial decisions, as long as there is human review and transparency.

Criticisms of the adopted reasoning

The acquittal contradicts Súmula 593 of the STJ, which defines rape as vulnerable regardless of the victim’s consent, previous sexual experience or romantic relationship. Criminal law considers any lewd act with a person under the age of 14 a crime. Organizações international organizations, such as UNICEF and UN Mulheres, expressed deep concern about the precedent.

Judge Kárin Emmerich disagreed with the rapporteur vote. Ela defended the maintenance of the conviction in the first instance. The judge classified the justification as a recurring appeal, but inappropriate to the specific case.

Recent developments in the case

Ministério Público analyzes the ruling to adopt appropriate legal measures. Parlamentares presented a representation to the CNJ against the judges involved. TJMG has not publicly commented on the episode so far.

The defendant left the prison system in February after the collegiate decision. The case occurred on Indianópolis, on Triângulo Mineiro. The victim lived with the accused, with family permission.

The incident reignites debate about ethical limits in the use of technologies in sensitive judgments. The need for rigorous supervision is highlighted amid the national repercussion.

The investigation at the CNJ remains ongoing. The procedure seeks to clarify all aspects of the decision and process.