Take advantage of our Letter of Character Reference for Court template. Provide someone close to you with a testimony to defend their character if they are in a complex legal situation.
Last Update May 24th, 2023
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- What Is a Character Reference Letter for Court
- Example of a Character Reference Letter for Court
- How to Write a Character Reference Letter for Court
- Dos and Don’ts of a Character Reference Letter
- Sample Character Reference Letter for Court
- Character Reference Letter for Court FAQs
What Is a Character Reference Letter for Court
A Character Reference Letter for Court is a legal form that can be used as a type of recommendation letter during a trial.
The purpose of writing this letter is to provide a positive testimony of someone’s character. It is often used when it is beneficial for a court to learn about this person’s reputation and personality, to help them argue their case.
The person you write the letter for could be your:
Friend
Family member
Co-worker
If you need to write a letter, use our Character Reference Letter for Court template to create a well-written document without difficulty.
When to Use a Character Reference Letter for Court
There are certain legal circumstances that a Court Reference Letter would be the ideal form of testimony.
The types of cases Character Reference Letters should be used are:
Driving under the influence (DUI)
Child custody
For convictions
A Character Recommendation Letter is the perfect way to defend someone’s reputation in a court of law.
Example of a Character Reference Letter for Court
Whether you are planning to write for a family member or friend, a Character Reference Letter for Court must be clear and concise.
Look over the following outline, to give yourself a better idea of how to structure your recommendation letter.
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]
To The Honorable Judge [Name],
My name is [your name], and I am a [your profession]. I have known [person’s name] for [amount of time]. [Person’s name] has always been a loving and caring [friend/family member/co-worker] since we first met.
That is why I am writing this letter to defend [person’s name], because [he/she] has always been a respected person in the community, and a genuine person to everyone [he/she] has come across.
To give you a personal example, [Person’s name] dropped me at my job, and my children at school when my car was stolen 5 years ago. [Person’s name] came through for us when we needed it.
Apart from that, [he/she] has often participated in community events and fundraisers.
It is unfortunate that [he/she] is in this situation. However, it is obvious to me that [person’s name] will do all that [he/she] can to resolve this situation without further problems, and is sorry for any damage or inconvenience [he/she] has caused.
I hope that this letter can go some way in convincing the court that [person’s name] is a good person, and this testimony will be taken into consideration.
Yours truly,
[Your signature]
[Your name]
How to Write a Character Reference Letter for Court
It is not very difficult to create this type of recommendation letter. However, there are some things you must keep in mind.
When writing a Character Reference Letter for Court, it’s essential to add the important examples and details in the correct sections.
Have a look at what you should include in your reference letter.
The Heading
In the heading, make sure you add your full name and address. Once you’ve done that, you should add the date the letter is being sent.
It’s also a good idea to include the case number. It will make it even easier to connect the letter to your friend or family member.
The Introduction
When you begin writing your letter, ensure you properly greet the judge presiding over your friend or family member’s case.
Afterward, give your name, your occupation, how you know the person in the legal situation, and for how long.
The Body
The body paragraph, or paragraphs, will provide the reasons that the person you are discussing in the letter has a good reputation, and is a good person.
The best way to do that is to provide concrete examples, such as:
How this person has helped you
How this person has volunteered in any way
If they have donated money
By adding examples like these, it will show how this person just made a one time mistake or can be trusted, based on what they are in court for.
Ending
How you end your letter is also essential. Make sure you briefly summarize what you have spoken about, and ask the court to consider your letter.
Remember to sign the letter as well.
Dos and Don’ts of a Character Reference Letter
As with any legal form, contract, or document, it is critical to know what to include as well as what not to include.
There are also ways to ensure your letter is written in a positive way that will not do more harm than good.
Have a look at the table below to understand the dos and don’ts of Character Reference Letter writing.
| Dos | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Be Clear and Concise. | Avoid making the letter too legal, it should be personal. |
| Mention several examples of the subject’s good moral character. | Do not suggest any sentences or punishments. |
| Chat with the person’s lawyer first to ensure the information included is useful and non-damaging. | Avoid stating if the subject of the letter is guilty or innocent. |
Also, take advantage of our Character Reference Letter template for court, to avoid adding details that could hurt your friend or family member’s case.
Sample Character Reference Letter for Court
Whenever preparing a legal document, it is helpful to review a written example.
Take a look at the sample Character Recommendation Letter below, to better understand how to create your document.
Character Reference Letter for Court FAQs
Some common questions are usually asked by anyone who needs to write a Character Reference Letter for Court.
For that reason, we have included the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, to help you write your document.
How Do I Ask Someone for a Reference?
If you would like someone to write a Character Reference Letter for Court on your behalf, then you should consider someone you have a close relationship with.
The person writing the letter should be able to provide good examples of your character. That means ideally it should be someone who you have known for many years and trust to do a good job.
How Many Character Letters Can Be Collected?
There is no set limit for the number of letters that can be provided to a judge on your behalf. However, that doesn’t mean that you should make too many.
It is a good idea to only have between 2 and 4 letters sent on your behalf.
If you have too many letters sent, it may appear suspicious.
Do Judges Read Character Letters?
The Character References will usually be collected and read by the judge. So it is a good idea to make your letter out to the judge presiding over your loved one’s case.
It is a personal letter, however, it is a good idea to make it formal as it is going to be part of a legal case or dispute.