Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph. Outline your relationship with the person who is the subject of the legal proceedings. Acknowledge the charges that have been brought against the person. State your opinion of the person's general character.
If you are asked to write a character letter for someone, it can be helpful to keep the following tips in mind when creating your letter: 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.
Elements: full mailing address of the sender. date on which letter is written. address of person to whom letter is addressed. subject line. salutation. body (the main message) complimentary closing. signature line (be sure to sign your letter)
Follow the order of this format, leaving a space in between each section: Your Information (first thing that goes on the inside of the letter) Name. The Date. The Judge's Information. Honorable Judge First Name Last Name. What the Letter Is Going to Address. Salutation. Body. Signature.
Format full mailing address of the sender. date on which letter is written. address of person to whom letter is addressed. subject line. salutation. body (the main message) complimentary closing. signature line (be sure to sign your letter)
You can address the judge to “The Honorable First Name Last Name” or “Judge First Name Last Name” or “Judge Last Name.” It is redundant to say “Honorable Judge” so use either “Judge” or “Honorable.”
The letter should be addressed to the Judge, but mailed to the defendant's attorney. Who are you? ... Make it personal when describing the defendant's characteristics. Only talk about what you know. Be truthful. Never attack the victims or law enforcement. Never allow the defendant to write the letter for you.
If sufficiently well-written, even one letter could make an impression on a judge. If more than one, or many more than one, this will always make a favorable impression. It is not a guarantee of more favorable treatment at sentencing, but it sure won't hurt.
Refer to the judge as “the Court”, “his honor,” or “her honor” if you need to refer to the judge while addressing a witness or the jury. Stop speaking if the judge begins to speak.
Tips for an Effective Character Letter To a Judge in California Understand the Purpose of a Character Letter. Use Specific Anecdotes Over General Praise. Address the Impact on the Defendant's Support Network. Maintain Respect For the Court. Respect the Judge's Time. Align Your Expectations with Reality.