In court cases, defendants, victims, or witnesses to crimes may be asked to write letters to the judge to give context, their opinions, and recount what exactly happened. These letters can be extremely impactful and form impressions on the judge, and thus are important to write mindfully.
Witness or character reference letters are commonly requested in cases concerning custody, immigration status, and for low-level offenses. In the context of a custody case, family members or other caregivers can attest to the family situation of each parent and make cases for the wellbeing of the child.
How to structure the letter:
Addressing the Envelope
HONORABLE JUDGE {INSERT NAME}
JUDGE OF {COURT NAME}
MAILING ADDRESS
Addressing the Letter
[Your Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Telephone/Email]
[Date]
[Judge’s Title] [First Name, Last Name]
Judge of [Court Name]
[Mailing Address]
Re: Sentencing* of [First Name, Last Name], [Case Number]
Dear Judge [Last Name],
Make sure to write the Judge’s correct formal title, which will likely be noted on prior proceedings or can be looked up at https://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/page/judges.html for the USA or https://www.fct-cf.gc.ca/en/home for Canada.
The Body of the Letter
The letter should be no more than a single page, and should detail your involvement in whatever incidence you are intending to address. State your first and last name, your job title, and your place of residence to put yourself in context for the judge.
State why you are writing, and what you intend to do in your letter. Concision and clarity are the two most important things to keep in mind while writing, do not try to make it unnecessarily detailed or complex.
If you are writing to vouch for a defendant or a victim, make sure you state clearly how you know them and why you are motivated to write on their behalf. State specifically what you want the outcome of the Judge’s verdict to be, and why you support that outcome.
If you are writing as a victim of a crime, explain how the crime has changed you and your life. This can be in an emotional, monetary, or physical way. Only include what you know to be true, as the validity of your whole statement could be questioned should details be wrong.
If you are writing a letter to defend your own actions, make sure to take responsibility for mistakes you have made, and emphasize how your life has changed or will change in response to this crime. Note specific, tangible steps you have taken to change your life and make sure that the crime will not reoccur, as well as ways you contribute in other ways to your community and the wellbeing of others.
In a DUI case, for example, it would be useful to mention if you have been sober and for how long, if you have taken steps to better your career or family life, and how the experience has led you down a more lawful path.
Signature
Sign the letter “Respectfully” or with a similar formal sign off, and type your full name. Sign the letter by hand.