Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Open Access Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Computer Science (MS)

Administrative Home Department

Department of Computer Science

Advisor 1

Charles Wallace

Committee Member 1

Ali Ebnenasir

Committee Member 2

Susanna Peters

Abstract

The complexity of statutory legislation often leads to confusion and disagreement in interpretation, even among legal experts, leaving ordinary citizens disempowered. While technology offers potential solutions, it can unintentionally deepen the divide between citizens and the law, contributing to a sense of alienation. Our work aims to address this gap by proposing an alternative application of technology: a digital sandbox that empowers legislators, lawyers, judges, and citizens to collaboratively define and explore the consequences of legislation.

We employ a “lightweight” computational modeling approach, using automated analysis to uncover hidden assumptions and potential unintended outcomes. Our case study focuses on expungement statutes in the United States, governing the conditions under which prior convictions may be removed from an individual's public record. Our focus is on the State of Michigan's Clean Slate Law, although our model is easily modified to capture similar expungement laws in Utah and Arizona. By utilizing the Alloy modeling language, we can model different interpretations of these laws through modular changes to a foundational model. The Alloy Analyzer then helps us evaluate the consequences of these interpretations, shedding light on possible legal outcomes and their implications.

To make this tool accessible, we developed a user-friendly interface designed to assist individuals seeking expungement and their legal advisors. The interface identifies which convictions on a person’s record can be expunged under various legal interpretations and provides clear explanations for why certain convictions may not qualify. This proof of concept demonstrates the broader potential of our sandbox vision, with the immediate benefit of aiding individuals navigating the complexities of expungement law.

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