Character letter for a probation hearing

Which probation hearing it is

Probation hearings come in different kinds, and the lawyer can tell you which one yours is. The two most common reasons for a letter are a hearing about a possible violation and a request to end probation early.

The advice on this page follows the published guidance for sentencing letters and adds what is particular to probation. Ask the lawyer what they want the letter to cover.

Acknowledge what happened

Say in a sentence or two that you know about the probation and, if there is one, the violation. For example: “I know my son is on probation for a theft charge and that he missed two meetings with his officer this spring.”

Don’t make excuses for a violation or say it doesn’t matter. Lawyers warn that excuses and minimizing make a letter count for less. If you don’t know the details, say what you do know and leave it there.

Describe what you have seen during probation

The facts most worth including are the ones you have seen yourself since probation began.

• Work or school the person has kept up.
• Meetings, classes or treatment they go to, and how you know.
• Changes in their daily life, friends or habits.
• Responsibilities they carry, such as caring for children or a parent.
• A specific moment that shows who they are.

Describe the support around them

Say who helps the person keep to their probation and what you do yourself. A place to live, rides to meetings with their probation officer, and family who check in are all facts a judge can weigh.

Offer only what you will really do, and keep to what you know first-hand. If you can, say how long you have been helping in this way.

What to leave out

A probation letter should leave out the things lawyers warn against in any character letter.

• Excuses for a violation, or saying it doesn’t matter.
• Blame for the probation officer, the police or the court.
• Arguments about the original charge.
• Anything you have only heard from others.

How to close

Ask the judge to consider the person you have described, and thank them for reading. Don’t ask for a particular result, such as ending probation or no jail time; the lawyer makes that request.

Where to send it

Give the letter to the person’s lawyer, and ask when they need it. Don’t send it to the judge or the probation officer yourself unless the lawyer asks you to.

Keep it to one page, sign it by hand, and add your phone number under your name. If you’d like help, our questions for a probation letter take you through each part and show your answers as a letter.

Questions