- Introduce yourself. State what your occupation is and any qualifications you hold.
- Outline your relationship with the person who is the subject of the legal proceedings. DO. …
- Acknowledge the charges that have been brought against the person. DO. …
- State your opinion of the person’s general character. DO.
What should be in a character letter for court?
Character letters should include your name, mailing address, phone number and email address so that the court can verify your information. They should be addressed either to
the Honorable [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME]
or Judge [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME].
How do you write a good character letter for a judge?
- Address Your Letter to the Judge. …
- Establish a Clear Relationship with the Defendant. …
- Be Truthful. …
- Be Positive. …
- Include a Discussion of the Crime. …
- Do Not Suggest Penalties for the Crime.
What does a judge look for in a character letter?
What is the Goal of a Character Letter? The goal of a character letter is to cast the defendant in the most favorable light possible. A character letter to a judge should
establish your credibility
, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things.
Are character letters good for court?
Good character reference letters
help the judge understand the defendant as an individual
. … Any personal examples or experiences with the defendant can reveal that the writer truly knows about the defendant’s character.
What should a character reference include?
- Start by explaining your relationship to the candidate. …
- Include long you’ve known the candidate. …
- Add positive personal qualities with specific examples. …
- Close with a statement of recommendation. …
- Offer your contact information.
How do you write a letter to a judge on behalf of yourself?
If you are writing on your behalf, affirm that
you understand the wrong you have done
. Indicate the date of the hearing. Explain in the next paragraph the character of the accused by bringing out his positive aspects. Offer personal stories and examples of his helpful and compassionate qualities.
What are the six traits of good character?
The Six Pillars of Character are
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship
.
Do judges read letters sent to them?
The judge will not read your letter and will send it to the opposing party/attorney
. Such a letter is known as an ex parte communication.
How do you end a character reference for court?
At the end of a character letter, most writers
make an “ask” of the court
. This can be as simple as requesting leniency, in consideration of the defendant’s exemplary history.
Do judges call character references?
Many people think of reference letters when they are applying for a new job and need to prove their credentials in pursuit of a career. However,
character reference letters are also used in the legal system to help a judge
or jury get to know an involved party on a more personal basis.
Can I write a letter to a judge regarding my case?
You can’t write to the judge
. You can hire your own attorney to make your case to the court.
What is a character reference used for?
A character reference, also known as a personal reference, is
a document provided on your behalf by a friend or colleague
, describing your interpersonal skills and character.
What is character reference example?
The reason for writing: As with most letters, a personal reference will typically begin with a sentence explaining why the letter
is being
written. For example, “I’m writing to provide a personal reference for Jen Smith, who I recommend for any job requiring strong, consensus-building leadership.”
How do you write a good character reference?
- Start by explaining your relationship to the candidate. How do you know the candidate? …
- Include long you’ve known the candidate. …
- Add positive personal qualities with specific examples. …
- Close with a statement of recommendation. …
- Offer your contact information.
Who should I use as a character reference?
The reference needs to be
someone who can speak to your character, personality, abilities and qualities
. While family members can provide character references, they will likely be more meaningful coming from someone unrelated to you. Consider asking a longtime friend, neighbor, mentor, coach, teacher or professor.
