Be specific and add details. Instead of just calling the accused good, responsible, reliable or respected in general; Give examples that show the judge or magistrate why the person fits these characterizations. Why do you say the accused is reliable? Have there been cases where the accused has clearly demonstrated a sense of responsibility? How has the person helped others? It is written by someone who knows the accused well, such as a family member, friend, colleague, employer, religious leader, etc. The author of a character reference letter for the court is called an “arbitrator”. The letter can be used by lawyers or defendants in detention cases, drunk driving hearings, or any case where the court needs to hear an accused`s personality, reputation, or worth to society. The information contained in a court`s character reference letter can help influence the verdict of the case in favor of the accused. Write the reference like a letter. Type it and put it on a letterhead if you have one. Know what the person is pleading guilty to. You must clearly indicate this in the character reference, as you will see in the following models.
The court needs to know that you were told what the person did. Writing a character reference for the court for a person charged with impaired driving is different from writing a reference for a person facing a sexual charge. For example, if the accused is charged with impaired driving, indicate that he or she acknowledged the error and pleaded guilty. In this case, the actions of the accused can be beneficial: a complete refusal of alcohol or participation in a responsible drinking program. Thus, it can be demonstrated that the person is already taking steps to avoid repeating the same mistake. In custody cases, this may include attending parenting classes or visiting a psychologist. It is often tempting for someone writing a character letter to discuss the fact that the accused is not really guilty, because it is “not as he is” because the defendant only pleaded guilty to get a better sentence, or even as the jury did wrong. This will not help the accused and may even have a negative impact on his case.
The letter is often presented in cases of police custody and/or drunk driving (DUI), but can be used in any situation where the court needs to hear the personality and character of the defendant to decide the case in his favor. The addition of such examples shows that this person has made only one mistake or is trustworthy based on what he or she is defending in court. Have the reference signed and dated. This reinforces the fact that the character reference is up-to-date and written specifically for the case. It`s best to also include your contact information (phone number, etc.) so the prosecutor, judge, or judge knows you`re easily reachable if they need to clarify something. A favourable description of a person`s character will emphasize that the crime in question is completely unusual and is not a characteristic of that individual. The person writing the letter should be able to give good examples of your character. That said, ideally, it should be someone you`ve known for many years and trust to do a good job. They were asked to write a character reference for someone going to court for breaking the law. A character reference is a letter and includes your opinion about that person. A character reference letter can also be used in a custody case.
Then, the letter must identify the person as responsible and reasonable, capable of taking custody of the children. For people who write character letters, the goal should first be to establish your credibility as a reference for the accused. Next, the letter must describe the accused to help the judge better understand the accused beyond the crime committed. Finally, the letter must be respectful and not harm the defendant`s case. The following guidelines can help you write an influential character letter. Provide this as soon as possible and in good time before the hearing date. The lawyer must first review the reference and decide whether or not to use it. When reviewing the reference, a defense attorney may also learn more about the defendant, which can be helpful in court. Because you know the accused well. How you got to know the defendant should be clear in a character reference letter for the court.
You don`t have to be an important person publicly. In general, there is no specific limit to the number of character reference letters you can use in court. It is recommended that the best 2-4 digit reference letters be used in court, depending on the case, the crime and the offender`s circumstances. The last paragraph should summarize the content of the introduction and the main part of the conclusion. The request for a preliminary ruling should also invite the court to examine the letter and examine the effect it expects. She is patient, understanding and always works hard to set a good example. Melinda has a strong bond with children, as was evident when her daughter made her the subject of her class project documentary when she was asked to make a film about extraordinary personalities. Never do the following: ✗ Provide false or misleading information in the character reference.
✗ Suggest to the judge or magistrate what sentence to impose. ✗ Criticize the law, the police, the prosecutor`s office or the victim. ✗ Anger of the judge or magistrate to whom the reference is addressed. Second paragraph: Explain why you are writing the letter. Indicate that you respect the fact that the defendant has been convicted or pleaded guilty to a crime, and that you are writing the letter to give a fuller picture of them as a person. Add specific examples of how the person helped you or someone else, or how they were a leader or inspiration. Of course, a character letter is only effective if it is well written and helps the judge understand a more complete picture of the accused. This advice from an experienced Lexington criminal defense attorney can help your loved one write character letters to support you. If you`ve been asked to write a character letter, this simple template can be a helpful guide. She often told me that she deeply regretted her mistake and was very sensitive to it.
I hope this letter will give you an idea of his good character and give him another chance to realize that this was a strange incident. ____ (person`s name) is willing to push back on all personal plans to attend the child`s concert, or ___ I think ____ I really believe it would be in the best interest if ____ Understanding how to write a character reference letter for the court can help an adjudicator provide appropriate, relevant and impactful information about the accused. It can also help ensure that statements made by the arbitrator are consistent. The arbitrator must provide meaningful examples to support the good qualities or qualities set out in the court`s character reference letter. This makes the letter more detailed and allows the adjudicator to customize the character reference letter for the court, making it more persuasive. Sometimes it is not malicious intent that can lead a person to commit a crime, but extraordinary circumstances. Good people also stumble and do unusual things, especially in difficult circumstances. If the author of the letter is aware of such life situations, they should be mentioned in the letter.
This will give the court a complete picture and clearly indicate what prompted the person to commit illegal acts. To give you a personal example, [name of person] dropped me off at work and my kids at school when my car was stolen 5 years ago. [The person`s name] came for us when we needed it. I know his general conduct, character and reputation. The petitioner shows and is otherwise of good conduct and character in the community. Depending on where the case is heard, the arbitrator is generally not required to appear before the court. However, if the case is heard by the Supreme District Court, the arbitrator may be invited to appear before the court to present evidence in case the prosecutor`s office wishes to ask questions about the contents of the letter. The arbitrator may not be required to attend such a hearing if a copy of the character reference letter is sent to the prosecutor in advance. This is considered official correspondence, regardless of the circumstances that led you to write this letter.
It is important to keep in mind that you may need to sign additional documents or even make a physical statement to the court about the authenticity of these letters. Therefore, certain requirements will have to be met. The first of these will be a positive and clear identification of the author. This task should be done in the upper-left corner of the first page. Enter your full name, home address, city, state, and zip code. This address must appear as a postal address on an envelope. Note: Do not use a P.O. Box number, it must be a physical address. The recipient of this letter should know when the letter was written. If this letter is written for an accused awaiting conviction, this is particularly important.
Enter the current date by writing the month, then entering the two-digit calendar day and the four-digit year. In general, it is a good idea to note the subject of this letter immediately in the title. The lawyer representing the subject of this letter may have preferences in this regard, so be sure to contact them.
