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Criminal Law prompts for Australian lawyers

These prompts are designed for AU criminal lawyers handling matters in the Magistrates, District, and Supreme Courts across NSW, VIC, QLD, and other jurisdictions. Each prompt is structured to produce useful output when used with Quillio. Copy any prompt directly, replace the placeholders with your matter facts, and run it.

In short

This is a curated library of 25 AI prompts for Australian criminal lawyers. Each prompt is grounded in state-specific criminal legislation and current District Court and Supreme Court practice. Use them with Quillio for brief analysis, sentencing research, bail applications, and trial preparation — every output is cited back to the underlying authority.

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Brief analysis

Brief analysis prompts (4)

Build a chronology from a brief of evidence

Prompt

Build a chronological timeline from this brief of evidence. Identify all dates, parties, key events, and exhibit references. Flag any inconsistencies between witness accounts.

Example use: A 600-page NSW District Court brief with 14 witness statements and 80 exhibits.

Identify key witnesses in a brief

Prompt

Identify the key witnesses in this brief of evidence. For each, summarise their account, identify what facts they prove, and flag any credibility issues.

Example use: For trial preparation in a contested criminal matter.

Cross-reference witness inconsistencies

Prompt

Cross-reference the witness statements in this brief and produce a table of inconsistencies — date, fact, witness A account, witness B account.

Example use: For cross-examination preparation in a contested matter.

Identify gaps in the prosecution case

Prompt

Analyse the elements of the offence charged: [offence]. Cross-reference against the brief of evidence. Identify any elements that appear unproven or evidentially weak.

Example use: For a no-case submission analysis.
Bail applications

Bail applications prompts (3)

Draft a NSW bail application

Prompt

Draft a bail application for a [Local/District/Supreme] Court matter under the Bail Act 2013 (NSW). Charges: [details]. Bail concerns and mitigating factors: [details]. Address each bail concern with proposed conditions.

Example use: A bail application for a client charged with break and enter and two prior bail breaches.

Draft a VIC bail application under exceptional circumstances test

Prompt

Draft a bail application for a Victorian matter where the exceptional circumstances test applies. Offence: [details]. Exceptional circumstances relied on: [details]. Address surrounding circumstances and proposed conditions.

Example use: A bail application for a client on a Schedule 2 offence with mental health considerations.

Research bail authority for a specific offence

Prompt

Research the current authority on bail for [offence] in [jurisdiction]. Identify the leading cases, the typical bail outcome, and the conditions usually imposed.

Example use: For preparing a bail application on an unfamiliar offence.
Sentencing

Sentencing prompts (4)

Research current sentencing range

Prompt

Research the current sentencing range for [offence] in the [court] in [jurisdiction]. Provide leading appellate decisions, typical sentences, and any recent guideline judgments.

Example use: For preparing a sentencing submission on a NSW District Court mid-range PCA matter.

Draft a sentencing submission

Prompt

Draft a sentencing submission for [offence] in [court]. Plea: guilty. Mitigating factors: [details]. Aggravating factors: [details]. Address the relevant Sentencing Act framework and propose a sentencing range.

Example use: A sentencing submission for a guilty plea to a District Court assault matter.

Draft a Bugmy submission

Prompt

Draft a Bugmy submission for sentencing. Client background: [details]. Identify the deprivation factors that apply and the authorities supporting their consideration in sentencing.

Example use: A sentencing submission for an Indigenous client with a history of socio-economic deprivation.

Research suspended sentences and intensive corrections orders

Prompt

Research the availability of suspended sentences, intensive corrections orders, and community correction orders for [offence] in [jurisdiction]. Identify eligibility and current judicial approach.

Example use: For advising a client on alternative sentencing options.
Trial preparation

Trial preparation prompts (3)

Draft cross-examination outline

Prompt

Draft a cross-examination outline for [witness name]. Their statement is attached. Identify inconsistencies, points to challenge, and the propositions to put.

Example use: For cross-examining the complainant in a contested assault matter.

Identify hearsay and admissibility issues

Prompt

Review this brief and identify any hearsay statements, admissions, and other potentially inadmissible material under the Evidence Act. Suggest the basis for objection.

Example use: For a pre-trial admissibility review.

Draft a no-case submission

Prompt

Draft a no-case submission for [offence]. Identify the elements of the offence, the evidence the prosecution has called, and the basis for the submission that no case has been made out.

Example use: After the close of the prosecution case in a District Court trial.
Plea advice

Plea advice prompts (3)

Draft a plea advice letter

Prompt

Draft a plea advice letter for a client charged with [offence]. Cover: strength of the prosecution case, likely outcome on plea vs trial, sentencing range, and recommended course.

Example use: For a client deciding whether to plead guilty or contest charges.

Analyse charge bargaining options

Prompt

Analyse the charges against the client: [list]. Identify possible charge negotiation outcomes — alternative charges, withdrawn charges, or plea to lesser charges. Assess the likelihood of prosecution agreement.

Example use: For preparing for plea negotiations with the prosecution.

Calculate sentencing discount for early plea

Prompt

Calculate the sentencing discount available for an early plea of guilty in [jurisdiction]. Apply current authority on the discount and the timing thresholds.

Example use: For advising a client on the discount they may receive for pleading at the first opportunity.
Research

Research prompts (3)

Research statutory interpretation of an offence

Prompt

Research the interpretation of [section] of the [Crimes Act / Criminal Code]. Identify the elements, the leading authority on each element, and any defences that may apply.

Example use: For preparing legal argument on a contested element of an offence.

Research a specific defence

Prompt

Research the current authority on the defence of [self-defence / mental impairment / duress / etc.] in [jurisdiction]. Identify the elements and recent appellate decisions.

Example use: For preparing a defence at trial.

Research expert evidence requirements

Prompt

Research the current requirements for expert evidence under the Evidence Act in [jurisdiction]. Identify the leading authority on admissibility and the procedural requirements for expert reports.

Example use: For briefing an expert witness in a contested matter.
Workflows

Workflows prompts (5)

Draft a notice of intention to plead

Prompt

Draft a notice of intention to plead [guilty/not guilty] in [court] on [date]. Include all required formal information.

Example use: For filing in a Magistrates Court matter.

Draft an appeal notice

Prompt

Draft a notice of appeal against [conviction/sentence] from [court]. Grounds: [details]. Include all formally required information for the [Court of Appeal / District Court appeal].

Example use: For an appeal against a Magistrates Court sentence.

Draft a section 10 submission

Prompt

Draft a section 10 submission under the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW). Client circumstances: [details]. Address each of the relevant statutory considerations.

Example use: For a low-end NSW summary offence where the client wants to avoid a conviction.

Draft client instructions form

Prompt

Draft a client instructions form for a criminal matter. Charges: [details]. Cover the client's account, witness details, factual disputes, and the client's instructions on plea.

Example use: For taking initial instructions from a new criminal client.

Draft a Bugmy or Verdins report request

Prompt

Draft a request for a [Bugmy / Verdins] report on the client. Brief the report writer on the relevant factors, the offence, and the sentencing context.

Example use: For sentencing preparation where the client has a complex personal background.
Use with Quillio

Run these prompts grounded in AU law

Quillio is purpose-built for Australian criminal lawyers — every research output includes citations to current AU sentencing and criminal law authority. See /practice-areas/criminal-lawyers or start a free trial.

These prompts are starting points, not legal advice. Always verify outputs against authoritative sources before relying on them in client matters.

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