Guides to writing a character letter
Plain answers about what to say, how to address the judge and what each kind of hearing asks of a letter.
- How to write a character letter for courtA character letter for court is a short, true letter to the judge from someone who knows the person well.
- Character reference letter template for courtA character reference letter for court follows a simple outline: the date, the judge’s name, who you are, how you know the person, what you know about the charge, a moment you saw, the support they have, and a short closing.
- How to address and format a letter to a judgeAddress a letter to a judge as “The Honorable” followed by the judge’s full name, and begin it “Dear Judge” followed by their last name.
- Character letter for sentencingA character letter for sentencing tells the judge who the person is beyond the offense, in the words of someone who knows them.
- Character letter for a bail or bond hearingAt a bail hearing the judge decides whether the person can be released before trial, mainly by asking whether they will come back to court and whether it is safe to release them.
- Character reference letter for immigration courtA character reference letter for immigration court is addressed to “Honorable Immigration Judge” and describes, in the writer’s own words, who the person is and what you have seen of their life here.
- Character letter for a custody caseA character letter for a custody case describes what you have seen yourself of the parent with their children: the school drop-offs, the meals, the doctor visits.
- Parole support letterA parole support letter tells the parole board what support the person will have when they are released: a place to live, work, transport, treatment and the people who will help.
- Character letter for a probation hearingA character letter for a probation hearing tells the judge what you have seen of the person while they have been on probation: the work they have kept, the meetings they have gone to, and the support around them.
- Character letter for court from a family memberA character letter from a family member tells the judge what you have seen of the person over many years and in daily life, in your own words.
- Character letter from an employerA character letter from an employer tells the judge what you have seen of the person at work: how long you have employed them, what they do, how reliable they are, and whether their job will be there for them.