comedytriada.blogg.se

Judges receive character letters that state how wonderful a person is or how the person is honest, supportive, and trustworthy.

Friends and family may want to highlight the person’s contribution to community programs, the church, and the defendant’s family. For example, if you are an employer, you can discuss the defendant’s job performance. Be Positiveĭiscuss the positive aspects of the defendant’s life. Also, intentionally misleading the court could result in criminal charges against you. By doing so, you destroy your credibility as a character witness. Be Truthfulĭo not embellish or include false statements in your character letter. A close, long relationship with someone allows you to offer reliable, credible insight into the person’s character and judgment. Make sure you highlight how long you have known the defendant and how close you are to the defendant. Therefore, it is essential that you explain how you know the person. You cannot be a credible witness unless you have a relationship with the person. The judge needs to know that you are a credible witness regarding the defendant’s character. Establish a Clear Relationship with the Defendant You can also contact the clerk of court to ask for the name of the judge presiding over the sentencing hearing. The person’s criminal defense attorney can provide the name of the judge. It is best to address the letter to the judge handling the case. When you address your letter, do not address the letter to “whom it may concern” or “judge.” You should also avoid addressing your letter to the court directly. 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: 1. Tips for Writing an Effective Character Letter In cases in which character witnesses are not allowed or limited, character letters could be the only way for a judge to learn more about a defendant’s character before sentencing. A family member, friend, employer, or other party writes a letter to the judge to help mitigate sentencing. Character letters can be effective in some criminal cases.