---
title: "Screen character references for AI generation before sentencing"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/criminal-law/screen-character-references-for-ai-generation-before-sentencing"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A20-B1-1"
practice_area: "Criminal Law"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["ACT", "NSW"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-10"
---

# Screen character references for AI generation before sentencing

> Flag references showing generic or machine-like language and list follow-up questions for the referee.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/criminal-law/screen-character-references-for-ai-generation-before-sentencing  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-10

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Criminal Law](https://ailawframework.com/practice/criminal-law.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | Flag references showing generic or machine-like language and list follow-up questions for the referee. |
| What the lawyer must review | Speak to referees; obtain references in their own words; check disclosure rules (e.g. NSW SC Gen 23 / District Court GPN2). |
| Written for / versions | Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

Trace relied-on content to independent sources and check for relevant material the output has missed.

- What the AI does: Flag references showing generic or machine-like language and list follow-up questions for the referee.
- What the lawyer does: Speak to referees; obtain references in their own words; check disclosure rules (e.g. NSW SC Gen 23 / District Court GPN2).
- Who reviews: Lawyer competent in the matter and the forum
- Basis: Planning guidance checked against the linked public sources on 10 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.
- Why: The traffic light follows the consequence of an error and how much of the output the lawyer must check before it is used.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Open the cited source and confirm it is the current instrument for this forum and this date.
2. Speak to referees; obtain references in their own words; check disclosure rules (e.g. NSW SC Gen 23 / District Court GPN2).
3. Compare the output with the source and the instructions, including material the output left out.
4. The responsible lawyer approves the exact output for its intended use, or sends it back.

## Notes

- Suggested working checks from the linked public sources. Read the source and confirm it applies to this forum and this date. The checks do not approve software or record that the work is done.

## Practical guide

Jurisdiction: Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales

**Deliverable**: Screen character references for AI generation before sentencing

**Inputs**

- NSW Courts article on AI-generated character references (R v Khan, ACT SC)
- District Court NSW GPN2
- The matter instructions and the documents the output will rely on.

**Example**: Stop before the result is filed, sent or relied on. Speak to referees; obtain references in their own words; check disclosure rules (e.g. NSW SC Gen 23 / District Court GPN2).

**Stop and escalate when**

- The cited source is not the instrument that applies to this forum or this date.
- The output states a fact, date, citation, figure or commitment that is not in the instructions or the source.
- The responsible lawyer has not approved the exact output for its intended use.

Checked 2026-10-10.

## Sources

- [NSW Courts article on AI-generated character references (R v Khan, ACT SC)](https://nswcourts.com.au/articles/ai-generated-or-digitally-translated-character-references-arent-acceptable-in-court/) (checked 2026-10-10)
- [District Court NSW GPN2](https://districtcourt.nsw.gov.au/documents/practice-notes/district-court-pn---general/Gen_AI_Practice_Note.pdf) (checked 2026-10-10)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*