At the Intersection of Highly Automated & Autonomous Vehicles

The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) hosted a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program titled "At the Intersection of Highly Automated & Autonomous Vehicles" on March 19, 2020. This virtual event focused on the legal implications of advanced vehicle technologies, particularly Level 3, 4, and 5 autonomous vehicles.

The program delved into potential criminal liabilities associated with these vehicles, examining issues under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Discussions covered the automobile exception to the warrant requirement, the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, and how these constitutional principles might evolve with the advent of automated and autonomous vehicles. The panel also evaluated potential sources of liability for criminal conduct by third parties and considered whether established notions of search and seizure would need to change in the era of driverless and passengerless vehicles.

The event featured a panel of experts, including Gail L. Gottehrer, Esq., Kenneth Stecker, Esq., Hon. Timothy S. Driscoll, and Ronald J. Hedges. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with these experts during the live session, which was conducted online.

This program was particularly relevant for legal professionals interested in the intersection of law and emerging automotive technologies, offering insights into the evolving landscape of liability and constitutional considerations in the context of autonomous vehicles.