
Provide details about your relationship with the person for whom you are writing the character reference.For a District or Supreme Court, address it to “The Presiding Judge.” Do not simply address the reference as “to whom it may concern,” as you want to ensure the court knows the character reference was written specifically for the sentencing phase of the criminal case. Address your character reference to “The Presiding Magistrate” of the local magistrates court.
#Character witness letter how to#
These tips can help you to determine how to write a character reference letter for court and what you should (and should not) include. How To Write a Character Reference Letter for Court – 8 Tips If you’re looking for a letter sample character reference letter for court sentencing, view the image below: You can always contact one of our experts here at Owen Hodge Lawyers for legal advice if you’re unsure – we’re the law firm Sydney residents trust. Here are some tips for how to write a character reference letter for court that will impress the magistrate or judge.

If you’re thinking of asking a family member or someone else that you know to write a letter of reference about your character, make sure they know what to include. While there is some debate about whether or not a good character reference will make a substantial difference in a magistrate’s sentencing decisions, it is universally recognised that a poorly written character reference will not be helpful to the offender’s cause.

When someone is facing sentencing for a criminal law offence, a character reference may be helpful in swaying the presiding magistrate to impose a lighter sentence.
