---
title: "Client’s written instructions to plead guilty, with record of advice and acknowledgment of the facts"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/criminal-law/client-instructions-to-plead-guilty-record"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a20-client-instructions-to-plead-guilty-record"
area_id: "A20"
kind: "form"
ai_level: "red"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A20-T1-R10"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-18"
---

# Client’s written instructions to plead guilty, with record of advice and acknowledgment of the facts

> Record signed by an accused person confirming the advice received, that the decision to plead guilty is their own, that they admit the elements and the agreed facts, and what they understand about the discount, the…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/criminal-law/client-instructions-to-plead-guilty-record  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-18

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

Record signed by an accused person confirming the advice received, that the decision to plead guilty is their own, that they admit the elements and the agreed facts, and what they understand about the discount, the penalty range and consequences.

## Key facts

- Kind: Form. A form to complete, or a guide to completing an official one.
- Practice area: [Criminal Law](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/criminal-law.md)
- Jurisdictions: New South Wales, Australia
- AI level: Red. Keep AI out of the decisive steps. A lawyer does the work.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-18
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-18 against the 2 authorities it cites, for New South Wales and Australia.

## When to use it

Use before a client enters a plea of guilty in any criminal court, especially where the client maintains innocence on some point, has limited English, has a cognitive impairment, or where the plea follows charge negotiations. It protects the client and the lawyer if the plea is later questioned. The lawyer completes the advice sections; the client’s confirmations are read to them and signed by them.

## Used for these tasks

- [Draft a plea-advice letter from the brief and instructions](https://ailawframework.com/practice/criminal-law.md#A20-T1-R10)

## How AI may be used

The client signs this record in their own name, so the lawyer prepares it with the client; AI may only fill matter details and copy the charges and agreed facts reference from the file.

**AI may:**

- Fill the client’s name, matter number, court and the charges exactly as on the court attendance notice or indictment
- Fill the date and reference of the agreed facts and any negotiations document

**AI must not:**

- Must not write or paraphrase the client’s confirmations, admissions or reasons for pleading
- Must not summarise the advice given; the lawyer writes section 2 from their own advice
- Must not be used to prepare the record in a language the client reads without a qualified interpreter or translator checking it

**The lawyer checks:**

- The client admits each element of each offence to which they will plead; if not, the plea is not entered on those instructions
- The advice recorded matches the advice actually given, including the discount, the penalty range and immigration, employment and licence consequences
- The record was read to the client, with an interpreter where needed, and the client had time and opportunity to ask questions and get independent advice
- The client signed freely, and the lawyer has no concern about capacity or pressure from others

## Authorities

- [Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 22 and Pt 3 Div 1A, s 25D (guilty plea discounts and their timing)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1999-092)
- [Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 25E (discount where an offer to plead to a different offence was refused)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1999-092)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/criminal-law/client-instructions-to-plead-guilty-record and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

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