Williams, J.
This case presents three basic issues before this Court: 1) whether a factual basis estab[272]*272lishing- the truth of the plea is essential for the acceptance of a guilty plea under the law of the State of Michigan; 2) whether the defendant’s confession was involuntary, and, if so, whether it may serve as a factual basis for the acceptance of her plea of guilty; and 3) whether the defendant was adequately advised of the nature of the accusation against her prior to the acceptance of her plea of guilty.
The defendant pleaded guilty before Judge Gerald W. Groat in Detroit Recorder’s Court to the offense of assault with intent to rob being armed on December 22, 1965. She was sentenced to 3 years’ probation with the first 90 days to be served in the Detroit House of Correction. After violating her probation, the defendant was sentenced in July of 1968 to serve 2 to 20 years in prison. Her motion to vacate plea of guilty was denied by Judge Thomas L. Poindexter of Recorder’s Court on September 26, 1968.
The Court of Appeals remanded this case to the trial court with instructions. People v Carlisle, 19 Mich App 680 (1969). The Court of Appeals held that a factual basis is necessary for the acceptance of a guilty plea. The only evident factual basis for the defendant’s guilty plea is her confession which was admitted into evidence at the preliminary hearing. The defendant alleged that the confession was involuntarily given. The Court of Appeals therefore remanded the case to Recorder’s Court for a Walker hearing (People v Walker [On Rehearing], 374 Mich 331 [1965]) to' determine the legality of the obtaining of the confession. Prior to the remand, we granted the people’s application for leave to appeal.
I.
The people contend that it is not necessary that the trial court establish a factual basis for a defend[273]*273ant’s guilty plea before accepting it. We cannot agree.
In People v Barrows, 358 Mich 267 (1959) this Court recognized the necessity on the part of the trial judge to establish a factual basis prior to the acceptance of a plea of guilty. Writing for a unanimous court, Justice George Edwards stated:
“The direct questioning of a defendant by the trial judge on plea of guilty is required by the rule [Court Bule No 35A (1945)] for the purpose of establishing the crime and the participation therein of the person pleading guilty.” 358 Mich 267, 272.
We reaffirm our holding in Barrows. No plea of guilty should be accepted by a trial judge until facts sufficient to establish the defendant’s guilt have been set out in the record. Preferably, these facts should be brought forth through a direct examination of the accused by the trial judge at the time the plea of guilty is accepted.
In the instant case, the trial court did not establish a factual basis for the defendant’s plea of guilty at the time such plea was accepted. The portion of the record of the plea proceeding set out below makes this clear:
“Q. Is there any question in your mind about it? If there is, tell this Court right now. The Court wants to know. We don’t want anybody to plead guilty unless they are guilty of this crime.
“A. I did drive the car.
“Q. I beg your pardon?
“A. I did drive the man to the hospital.
“Q. I didn’t ask you what the facts were. You know what happened. I don’t know. I haven’t heard the facts in this case. You know whether you’re guilty or not.”
[274]*274GrCR 1963, 785.3(2) requires that the court make an examination “ # * * to ascertain that the plea was freely, understcmdingly and voluntarily made * * * .” (Emphasis supplied.) The trial court cannot ascertain that the accused “understanding'ly” pled guilty unless the trial court knew what the defendant thought her crime was, otherwise the defendant might plead guilty to something that was not a crime at all — and that would he the height of lack of understanding. See People v Merhige, 212 Mich 601 (1920).
Unfortunately, because of lack of clear precedent perhaps, in the case at bar the trial judge was confused as to who should know what. He told the defendant “You know what happened” and “You know whether you’re guilty or not.”
The court rule, however, requires that the trial court should “know what happened” so that the trial court would know whether the defendant was “guilty or not”.1
[275]*275The trial court here honestly confessed its ignorance and its determination to remain in ignorance. “You know what happened. I don’t know.” When the defendant tried to tell the trial court what the trial court should have been trying to ascertain, the trial court responded “I didn’t ask you what the facts were * * * I don’t know. I haven’t heard the facts in this case * * * ”
Under these circumstances, there is only one thing to do — reverse, vacate the plea of guilty and order the trial court to proceed thereafter as appropriate.
II.
The defendant’s confession was obtained by a detective without counsel present after the defendant had stated to the assistant prosecuting attorney a few hours before that she did not want to talk, and asked “If I want a lawyer what do I do?” People v Carlisle, 19 Mich App 680, 684 (1969). We need not consider the admissibility of such a confession.2 Since the trial court on the record accepted the plea without knowledge of these facts, the confession cannot serve to establish a factual basis for the acceptance of defendant’s plea of guilty.
[276]*276III.
Though this issue was not raised by the appellee, a trial judge accepting a plea of guilty must adequately advise the defendant of the nature of the accusation against him.3 The record of the plea proceedings in the instant case fails to reveal that defendant was advised of anything further than the name of the offense to which she was pleading guilty.4
Since the defendant’s plea of guilty was accepted prior to the United States Supreme Court decision in Boykin v Alabama, 395 US 238; 89 S Ct 1709; 23 L Ed 2d 274 (1969), we do not hold the plea proceedings before us today to the more stringent standards enunciated in Boykin. For our holding that Boykin will not be applied retroactively, see People v Butler, 387 Mich 1 (1972).
Reversed, plea of guilty vacated, and remanded to the trial court to proceed as appropriate.
T. M. Kavanagh, C. J., and Adams, T. U. Kavanagh, and Swainson, JJ., concurred with Williams, J.
APPENDIX
TRANSCRIPT OF PLEA PROCEEDINGS
Q. Now, Miss Doreen Carlisle, you heard your Attorney advise, this Court as to the question of your plea of guilty to the crime in the included offense of assault with intent to rob being armed. Is that correct ?
A. Yes, your Honor.
Q. And he advised the Court that you wish to plead guilty to that crime.
[277]*277Q.
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Williams, J.
This case presents three basic issues before this Court: 1) whether a factual basis estab[272]*272lishing- the truth of the plea is essential for the acceptance of a guilty plea under the law of the State of Michigan; 2) whether the defendant’s confession was involuntary, and, if so, whether it may serve as a factual basis for the acceptance of her plea of guilty; and 3) whether the defendant was adequately advised of the nature of the accusation against her prior to the acceptance of her plea of guilty.
The defendant pleaded guilty before Judge Gerald W. Groat in Detroit Recorder’s Court to the offense of assault with intent to rob being armed on December 22, 1965. She was sentenced to 3 years’ probation with the first 90 days to be served in the Detroit House of Correction. After violating her probation, the defendant was sentenced in July of 1968 to serve 2 to 20 years in prison. Her motion to vacate plea of guilty was denied by Judge Thomas L. Poindexter of Recorder’s Court on September 26, 1968.
The Court of Appeals remanded this case to the trial court with instructions. People v Carlisle, 19 Mich App 680 (1969). The Court of Appeals held that a factual basis is necessary for the acceptance of a guilty plea. The only evident factual basis for the defendant’s guilty plea is her confession which was admitted into evidence at the preliminary hearing. The defendant alleged that the confession was involuntarily given. The Court of Appeals therefore remanded the case to Recorder’s Court for a Walker hearing (People v Walker [On Rehearing], 374 Mich 331 [1965]) to' determine the legality of the obtaining of the confession. Prior to the remand, we granted the people’s application for leave to appeal.
I.
The people contend that it is not necessary that the trial court establish a factual basis for a defend[273]*273ant’s guilty plea before accepting it. We cannot agree.
In People v Barrows, 358 Mich 267 (1959) this Court recognized the necessity on the part of the trial judge to establish a factual basis prior to the acceptance of a plea of guilty. Writing for a unanimous court, Justice George Edwards stated:
“The direct questioning of a defendant by the trial judge on plea of guilty is required by the rule [Court Bule No 35A (1945)] for the purpose of establishing the crime and the participation therein of the person pleading guilty.” 358 Mich 267, 272.
We reaffirm our holding in Barrows. No plea of guilty should be accepted by a trial judge until facts sufficient to establish the defendant’s guilt have been set out in the record. Preferably, these facts should be brought forth through a direct examination of the accused by the trial judge at the time the plea of guilty is accepted.
In the instant case, the trial court did not establish a factual basis for the defendant’s plea of guilty at the time such plea was accepted. The portion of the record of the plea proceeding set out below makes this clear:
“Q. Is there any question in your mind about it? If there is, tell this Court right now. The Court wants to know. We don’t want anybody to plead guilty unless they are guilty of this crime.
“A. I did drive the car.
“Q. I beg your pardon?
“A. I did drive the man to the hospital.
“Q. I didn’t ask you what the facts were. You know what happened. I don’t know. I haven’t heard the facts in this case. You know whether you’re guilty or not.”
[274]*274GrCR 1963, 785.3(2) requires that the court make an examination “ # * * to ascertain that the plea was freely, understcmdingly and voluntarily made * * * .” (Emphasis supplied.) The trial court cannot ascertain that the accused “understanding'ly” pled guilty unless the trial court knew what the defendant thought her crime was, otherwise the defendant might plead guilty to something that was not a crime at all — and that would he the height of lack of understanding. See People v Merhige, 212 Mich 601 (1920).
Unfortunately, because of lack of clear precedent perhaps, in the case at bar the trial judge was confused as to who should know what. He told the defendant “You know what happened” and “You know whether you’re guilty or not.”
The court rule, however, requires that the trial court should “know what happened” so that the trial court would know whether the defendant was “guilty or not”.1
[275]*275The trial court here honestly confessed its ignorance and its determination to remain in ignorance. “You know what happened. I don’t know.” When the defendant tried to tell the trial court what the trial court should have been trying to ascertain, the trial court responded “I didn’t ask you what the facts were * * * I don’t know. I haven’t heard the facts in this case * * * ”
Under these circumstances, there is only one thing to do — reverse, vacate the plea of guilty and order the trial court to proceed thereafter as appropriate.
II.
The defendant’s confession was obtained by a detective without counsel present after the defendant had stated to the assistant prosecuting attorney a few hours before that she did not want to talk, and asked “If I want a lawyer what do I do?” People v Carlisle, 19 Mich App 680, 684 (1969). We need not consider the admissibility of such a confession.2 Since the trial court on the record accepted the plea without knowledge of these facts, the confession cannot serve to establish a factual basis for the acceptance of defendant’s plea of guilty.
[276]*276III.
Though this issue was not raised by the appellee, a trial judge accepting a plea of guilty must adequately advise the defendant of the nature of the accusation against him.3 The record of the plea proceedings in the instant case fails to reveal that defendant was advised of anything further than the name of the offense to which she was pleading guilty.4
Since the defendant’s plea of guilty was accepted prior to the United States Supreme Court decision in Boykin v Alabama, 395 US 238; 89 S Ct 1709; 23 L Ed 2d 274 (1969), we do not hold the plea proceedings before us today to the more stringent standards enunciated in Boykin. For our holding that Boykin will not be applied retroactively, see People v Butler, 387 Mich 1 (1972).
Reversed, plea of guilty vacated, and remanded to the trial court to proceed as appropriate.
T. M. Kavanagh, C. J., and Adams, T. U. Kavanagh, and Swainson, JJ., concurred with Williams, J.
APPENDIX
TRANSCRIPT OF PLEA PROCEEDINGS
Q. Now, Miss Doreen Carlisle, you heard your Attorney advise, this Court as to the question of your plea of guilty to the crime in the included offense of assault with intent to rob being armed. Is that correct ?
A. Yes, your Honor.
Q. And he advised the Court that you wish to plead guilty to that crime.
[277]*277Q. Now, did anyone threaten you if you did not plead guilty?
A. No.
Q. Did anyone offer you any reward or inducement if you do plead guilty?
A. No, your Honor.
Q. Guilty of assault with intent to rob being armed.
Q. This plea of guilty to the crime of assault with intent to rob being armed is of your own wish and will and free and voluntary on your part. Is that correct,?
Q. You plead guilty to this offense of assault with intent to rob being armed that occurred on the 30th day of July, 1965 when you did assault with intent to rob being armed one Joseph Wasyl. Is that correct?
Q. Now, you’ve discussed this matter with your Attorney about your right to a trial by jury, which you have that right, until the Court accepts your plea. Until the Court accepts your plea you have that right. You can change your mind. I don’t want anybody to plead guilty in this Court unless they are guilty. Do you understand that?
Q. And you understand that you have that right to a trial by jury or that you can waive that and be tried by a Judge who resolves the question of law and fact. The findings of the judge alone by himself or you can have a jury trial. It’s your prerogative.
Mr. Ward [attorney for defendant]: Do you understand?
Defendant Carlisle: Yes, I do.
The Court: It’s the law of the State of Michigan and all the States.
By the Court:
Q. Now, you plead guilty to this charge of assault [278]*278with intent to rob being armed because you are guilty of it?
Q. Is there any question in your mind about it? If there is, tell this Court right now. The Court wants to know. We don’t want anybody to plead guilty unless they are guilty of this crime.
A. I did drive the car.
Q. I beg your pardon?
A. I did drive the man to the hospital.
Q. I didn’t ask you what the facts were. You know what happened. I don’t know. I haven’t heard the facts in this case. You know whether you’re guilty or not.
Q. If you’re not guilty say so. If you are guilty of this crime of assault with intent to rob that is strictly up to you and nobody else.
A. I am, guilty.
Q. You are guilty of the crime of assault with intent to rob being armed. Is that correct?
Q. And you want the Court to accept your plea of guilty of that crime?
Q. Guilty of assault with intent to rob being armed, without any equivocation.
Q. Because you are guilty of it, as the Court has asked you. And if you wish to change your mind now you’re entitled to a trial; and if you want the Court to accept your plea of guilty to this crime of assault with intent to rob being armed that is strictly up to you. Up to now you have said you wanted the Court to accept your plea of guilty to this crime.
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And you understand — I want to go over this again. You understand that you have this right. It’s every citizen’s right to have a trial by jury. Or you can waive that and he tried by the Court. Do [279]*279you understand that? I want you to fully understand it.
A. Yes, your Honor. I do.
Q. How old are you?
A. Twenty-two.
Q. And you want the Court to accept the plea of guilty to the crime of assault with intent to rob being armed after the questions the Court has asked?
Q. Your plea of guilty. You want the Court to accept your plea of guilty.
The Court: Very well, the Court will accept the plea of guilty of the crime of assault with intent to rob being armed. I’ll refer this matter to the Probation Department and Psychiatric Clinic with a report on — any particular date?
Mr. Ward: No. Could your Honor make it any time after the 11th of January?
The Court: The 12th?
Mr. Ward: Yes, sir.