The steps, in order
Federal defender offices and defense lawyers describe the same order for a character letter, and following it gives the judge what they look for in one page.
- Ask the lawyer when they need the letter, what name to address it to, and whether they want it signed by hand.
- Start with who you are: your name, what you do and where you live.
- Say how you know the person, for how long, and how often you see them now.
- Say in a sentence or two that you know why they are in court.
- Tell one or two moments you saw yourself that show what the person is like.
- Describe the support around them now, including anything you will do to help.
- Close by asking the judge to consider the person you have described, without naming a sentence.
- Read the letter aloud, sign it, add your phone number or address, and give it to the lawyer.
What to include
The most useful thing in a character letter is a specific moment you saw yourself. A list of good qualities tells the judge what you think, while a true story shows it: what happened, when it was and what the person did.
How well you know the person matters more than who you are. A former federal judge, Mark Bennett, has written that what impresses him is how well the writer knows the person, not the writer’s job or standing.
If the person has shown remorse or made changes since the arrest, say what you have seen, such as treatment they go to or a job they have kept. Judges look for facts behind remorse, not a general statement that the person is sorry.
If you can say where the person will live, who will help them and what you will do yourself, include it. Judge Bennett has written that he wants a factual plan of this kind and rarely gets one.
What to leave out
Defense lawyers and court guidance warn against the same few things, because each one can make a letter count for less or work against the person.
- Saying the person is innocent or that the court got it wrong.
- Blaming the victim, the police, the prosecutor or the court.
- Retelling what happened in detail.
- Making the charge sound smaller than it is, for example calling it “just one mistake”.
- Telling the judge what sentence to give.
- Anything you know is untrue or have only heard about.
- Phrases copied from a template or another person’s letter.
How long it should be
One page is usually enough, according to the federal defender offices in Michigan and West Virginia. A short letter with one clear example is easier for a judge to read than a long one, and lawyers advise against rambling.
Type the letter if you can. Defender offices prefer typed letters but accept neat handwriting.
Where to send it
Give the letter to the person’s lawyer, not to the judge. Federal defender offices tell writers to address the letter to the judge but send it to the defense lawyer, who decides how and when to file it. One federal judge in Arizona has ordered that family members must not send letters to her directly.
Your letter may become part of the public court file. Leave out Social Security numbers, account numbers and full birth dates, and name any children by their initials only.
The court may call you to check that you wrote the letter, so never let the person you are writing for write it for you. If you’d like help putting your own words in this order, our questions take you through each part and show your answers as a one-page letter.
A sample letter
October 31, 2026
The Honorable Ellen Park
Re: Daniel Ruiz
Dear Judge Park,
My name is Angela Ruiz. I am Daniel’s older sister, and I have worked as a dental hygienist in Columbus, Ohio for eleven years.
I have known Daniel all his life. We grew up in the same house, and I see him most Sundays when he comes to dinner with my family.
I know Daniel has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and that a woman was hurt in the crash. He told me himself, and he has not made excuses.
When our father got sick in 2021, Daniel moved back home to look after him. For two years he drove Dad to dialysis three mornings a week before his shift at the warehouse, and he never once complained to me about it.
Since the crash, Daniel has gone to an AA meeting every week, and I have driven him to several of them. He has kept his job. He can live with my family, and I will help him get to every appointment.
I ask you to consider the person I have described when you decide Daniel’s sentence. Thank you for reading my letter.
Sincerely,
Angela Ruiz
Columbus, Ohio
(614) 555-0142 · angela.ruiz@example.com
Questions
Who should write a character letter for court?
Someone who knows the person well and can describe things they have seen themselves. Family, employers, teachers, coaches, counselors and faith leaders often write.
Should I send my character letter directly to the judge?
No. Address it to the judge, but give it to the person’s lawyer, who will file it with the court.
Can a character letter hurt the case?
Yes. Defense lawyers warn that a letter which argues innocence, blames the victim or the court, or names a sentence can count against the person.
Can the person I am writing for write the letter for me?
No. The court may call you to confirm that you wrote it, and the letter needs to be in your own words.