Character letter for court - With Writing Guide 2023
Are you asked to write a Character Letter for Court?
Facing problems while writing a Character reference letter for court?
Don’t worry.
We will help you write a perfect character recommendation letter for court.
Read this blog further to know the steps involved in writing a character letter for court.
What is a Character Letter for Court? Why is it Important?
If you are asked to write a Character Letter for Court, then you might be wondering what is a Character letter for court?
A Character Letter for Court is a legal document which is prepared to defend the defendant in the criminal case against him or her.
This is important as it has the potential to influence the court decision on the final judgment of the case.
QUICK ENQUIRY
Questions You Should Answer Before Writing
Before you start to write a Letter of Character for court, there are certain questions one should answer and address in a character letter for court.
Below we list a few questions you can address in a character letter for court.
- For how long have I known the accused?
This must be the question one should address in the initial part of the character letter for court.
You have to specifically mention for how long you have known the accused.
- How will I defend the character of the accused?
You can answer this question, by mentioning the good memories and experiences you have with the accused.
- Do I have specific examples to support my claims?
Here you can give specific examples to prove your claims as stating the examples will add more value to your letter of recommendation for court.
What Does a Judge Look for in Character LORs?
A Character Reference Letter for court will be evaluated by a Judge and a Prosecutor.
While evaluating a Character witness letter for court, a Judge or Prosecutor will look for the following details,
- The tone of the letter
- Your acknowledgement about the charges against the accused
- What the Recommender has said about the character of the accused
- Whether the character Reference Letter is reliable
HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR LOR BE?
One has to know the basic formatting tips that have to be followed while writing an LOR, in order to write a perfect letter for Character witness for court.
Word Count:
200 – 400 words
Character Limit:
1500 – 2000 characters
Margin:
One inch on all sides
Page Limit:
One page
Font Style:
Times New Roman
Font Size:
11 or 12
Character letter for court - Samples
Guidelines for Using Samples
Searching for the sample Character reference letter for court?
Here we have provided a Character reference for court sample letters to help you understand better what we have discussed so far.
Be careful not to copy anything from the Character letter for judge example provided.
Skimming through the sample will help you understand:
- How to start a character reference letter for court
- How to support the character of the accused in a positive manner
- How to conclude the letter with a word of character endorsement
Write Your LORs in 6 Steps
Writing an LOR can be daunting if you are unaware of the perfect writing style and steps.
We, with our experience of drafting hundreds of Character reference letters for court sentencing, have formulated a 6 steps strategy to help you better craft a good Character letter for court.
- Do include your contact address in the starting of the letter
- Mention the case number of the accused
- Greet the judge in a pleasant manner
- Introduce yourself and mention the connection between you and the accused
- Discuss about the character of the accused and provide concrete examples to make the Judge believe that the accused has committed the crime by mistake
- Once again vouch for the character traits of the accused and don’t forget to sign the letter
Who Is Eligible to Write LORs?
To write a Character Letter for Court, you must contact a person who holds a respectful position in the society and has known you personally.
You can choose either a Teacher, Psychiatrist, or your Employer to write a good Character letter for court.
The person must have known you for a long period of time and must vouch for your character traits.
Final Checklist
Preparing a checklist is always recommended to avoid missing out on any important points.
Below we list a checklist to help you ensure that you don’t miss out on anything important.
- Did I follow the correct structure to write a letter for Character witness for court?
- Did I adhere to the guidelines?
- Did I includ all the relevant details?
- Did I format the document?
Do's and Don't in Your LOR
To write a Character Letter for Court, it is very important to be aware of Do’s and Don’ts while writing a Letter of Recommendation.
Do’s
Don’ts
Contact the person’s lawyer to understand the requirements of a Character letter for court
Don’t accept to write a character reference, if you are uncomfortable to write or if you feel that the person accused is not worthy of receiving a character recommendation letter.
Always be clear and concise in your writing
Don’t make the letter too legal, as the letter demand a personal recommendation
Do provide good examples to substantiate your claims
Don’t recommend any punishments
Do acknowledge that the person has committed a mistake
Don’t write long essays, as it will make the Judge lose interest in your letter.
Tips for Writing
Our expert Character Reference Letter writers have formulated a few secret tips to make your writing perfect.
Below we list a few tips that can help you craft a good Letter of Recommendation for character reference for court. .
- Don’t forget to format your letter
- Address the letter correctly
- Don’t forget to start your letter mentioning “Your Honor”
- Do remember to put the date at the top of the letter
- Don’t forget to proofread the letter
Conclusion
Character Letter for court has to be drafted with great care and precision.
As this is a legal document, you have to be clear with what you wish to say in the letter.
We hope we have answered all your questions regarding how to write a Character letter for court.
To make your understanding better we have included a Character letter for court example.
Having reached the end of the blog, did you find our blog useful?
Please do let us know about your opinions as comments below in the comment section below.
Mrs. Sreeja Sudha
With a specialization in academic content writing, Sreeja Sudha is a skilled Content Writer and Editor who has got years of experience in crafting Statement of Purposes (SOPs) for students who are aspiring to pursue a masters degree . Her passion for delivering impactful and captivating pieces made her a top choice for students to craft their academic documents. Her expertise in various subjects, writing styles, and a tailored and persuasive writing approach helped her successfully cater to students' academic goals.