Alert protocol in TLS Assuming the alert protocol is encrypted AFTER a session has been established and the structure below, how does the client know whether to expect encrypted data or not?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_Layer_Security#Alert_protocol
Switch from plain to encrypted is marked by a special record type called change_cipher_spec (which is neither handshake, alert or application_data); it is unambiguous. Plus, the moment the switch occurs is quite clear from the client point of view, given the previous handshake messages.

If unsure, have a look at the actual standard, which is quite clear (for a standard). This answer can serve as an introduction.