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)
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.
On a separate page or pages, write a short and plain statement of the answer to the allegations in the complaint. Number the paragraphs. The answer should correspond to each paragraph in the complaint, with paragraph 1 of the answer corresponding to paragraph 1 of the complaint, etc.
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)
How to Format an Answer Letter for a Civil Summons Provide the name of the court at the top of the Answer. List the name of the plaintiff on the left side. Write the case number on the right side of the Answer. Address the Judge and discuss your side of the case.
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.
Determine What is “Relevant” to Your Case First, determine what is most important to you. Second, organize your declaration. Third, proofread & condense. Know what your audience is focused on. Tell the truth. Anticipate opposing party's response. Advocate for yourself. Use proof to validate your case.
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.
Letters from non-lawyers to judges are absolutely to be avoided. They are inappropriate and violate many rules regarding proper communication with judges. Some letters may be in violation of criminal law that prohibits improper efforts to influenc...