[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/character-letter-of-support-to-judge\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/character-letter-of-support-to-judge\/","headline":"Sample Letter to Friends and Relatives and Character Letter Outline","name":"Sample Letter to Friends and Relatives and Character Letter Outline","description":"How to Write a Character Letter of Support to a Judge Prior to your sentencing, you may have friends and relatives write character letters of support to the judge which the judge will consider in imposing sentencing. Because of the sentencing guidelines, the judge does not have a great deal of discretion as to your...","datePublished":"2014-12-02","dateModified":"2024-10-04","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/author\/broden-mickelsen\/#Person","name":"Mick Mickelsen","url":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/author\/broden-mickelsen\/","identifier":16,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/30690d9f76c45bf5d61434169e78762d673b1ac9b949489cf69f1c78d567fc27?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/30690d9f76c45bf5d61434169e78762d673b1ac9b949489cf69f1c78d567fc27?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Broden, Mickelsen LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Broden-and-Mickelsen-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Broden-and-Mickelsen-Logo.png","width":378,"height":77}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/character-letter-of-support-to-judge-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/character-letter-of-support-to-judge-1.jpg","height":"412","width":"800"},"url":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/character-letter-of-support-to-judge\/","about":["Criminal Defense"],"wordCount":1192,"keywords":["charac","character letter","support letter to judge","write a letter to a judge"],"articleBody":"How to Write a Character Letter of Support to a JudgePrior to your sentencing, you may have friends and relatives write character letters of support to the judge which the judge will consider in imposing sentencing. Because of the sentencing guidelines, the judge does not have a great deal of discretion as to your sentence, however, at times strong letters of support can influence a judge to sentence a defendant at the low end of the guideline range. I have enclosed a letter and an outline you can provide to any person you ask to write character letters on your behalf.In addition to character letters of support, the judge will allow up to three character witnesses to address the court at sentencing. If you would like to present character witnesses to the court at sentencing, please discuss this matter with your Dallas Criminal Attorney as it gets closer to the sentencing date. As always, if you have any questions, please don\u2019t hesitate to contact me.Very truly yours,F. Clinton BrodenProvide this sample letter and character letter outline to friends or relatives you ask to write a letter of support to the judge on your behalfFebruary 23, 2015To: Friends and Family of [Defendant\u2019s Full Name]From: F. Clinton BrodenRe: Letters to the Judge in connection with [Defendant\u2019s First Name]\u2032s sentencingAs you know, [Defendant\u2019s Full Name] will be facing sentencing before United States District Judge [Judge\u2019s Full Name] in connection with his guilty plea to [Offense]. The sentencing is currently scheduled for [Sentencing Date]. Some of you may be thinking of writing a supportive letter about [Defendant\u2019s First Name] to the Judge in an effort to help [Defendant\u2019s First Name] receive the lightest possible sentence. The purpose of this memorandum is to advise you of the proper manner of doing this in terms of when and where to send the letters, proper manner of addressing the Judge, and some do\u2019s and don\u2019t\u2019s about content.The letter (but not the envelope) should be addressed to:Honorable [Judge\u2019s Full Name]United States District Judge1100 Commerce StreetDallas, TX 75242The proper manner of addressing the Judge is \u201cYour Honor\u201d or \u201cDear Judge [Judge\u2019s last name].\u201d The letter should refer to [Defendant\u2019s First Name] by name either between the address and the salutation or in the first sentence. The letter should also contain your return address and the date. Generally, the letter should be between one and three pages long.As to content of the letter, we want to be able to show the Judge the many positive aspects of [Defendant\u2019s First Name]\u2032s character and background. Attached to this Memorandum is a brief outline that you can use to help you with your letter. Of course, it is important that you write your own letter in your own words. You should identify in the letter how you know [Defendant\u2019s First Name] and for how long. It might be good to include, from personal experience, a specific and heartwarming example of [Defendant\u2019s First Name]\u2032s generous, kind, and\/or loving character. A more general letter about a lengthy and positive relationship in which [Defendant\u2019s First Name] has been a trustworthy and caring friend or family member is also helpful.In contrast, it would not be useful to declare that [Defendant\u2019s First Name] is or must be innocent or to express resentment as to his treatment by the government or the Judge; there is always a risk that such sentiments will be attributed to him and be held against him. Likewise, remember that [Defendant\u2019s First Name] is accepting full responsibility for having done things he should not have done, which he acknowledges were illegal, and which he knew or should have known at the time were wrong. Some indication that you recognize the same, but still have the high opinion of him that you have, can be helpful. So as you can see, the focus should be on Insert 2 as a person, and not on any feelings as to his guilt or innocence, about whether someone else is really to blame for what has happened to [Defendant\u2019s First Name], or about the criminal justice system in general.Very important: Please make sure that you DO NOT MAIL YOUR LETTER DIRECTLY TO THE JUDGE \u2014 MAIL IT TO MY OFFICE (at 2600 State St, Dallas, TX 75204). This is critical because, although you of course will include in your letter only what you consider to be information that will be helpful to [Defendant\u2019s First Name] at sentencing, there is always a possibility that someone may unintentionally include something that could actually be harmful. Before I send a letter to the Judge, I need to check it in light of my experience so that I am confident that we submit only potentially helpful material. In addition, I will want to submit all the letters to the Judge at one time in an organized way. I cannot do this if the letters don\u2019t all go through me.It is also very important that I receive your letters no later than two weeks prior to sentencing so that I can review them, suggest changes if necessary, receive any revised letters, and organize them all as part of a cohesive sentencing package for Insert 2 that I can submit to the Judge in advance of the sentencing date.Thank you all in advance for your help and support to [Defendant\u2019s First Name] in this important time.Honorable [Judge\u2019s Full Name]Return Address United States District Judge Date1100 Commerce StreetDallas, TX 75242Outline for character letter of support to the judgeRe: [Defendant\u2019s Full Name]Paragraph 1 – Relationshipa. In what capacity do you know [Defendant\u2019s Full Name]? (i.e. relative, friend, spouse)b. How long have you known him\/her?c. Feelings for [Defendant\u2019s First Name] (Important to show love, friendship, respect)Paragraph 2 – General statement of supporta. Do you understand the trouble [Defendant\u2019s First Name] is in?b. Have you talked with him\/her about their trouble?c. Are you able to help them in any way? (Place to live, job, other support)Paragraph 3 – Statement on charactera. What good things can you say about [Defendant\u2019s First Name]?b. Mention character traits (honesty, courage, love, etc. and examples)c. Offer any personal experiences or insights that may help the Judge understand [Defendant\u2019s First Name]\u2032s true character.Paragraph 4 – Conclusiona. Express to Judge in your own words how [Defendant\u2019s First Name] knows he\/she has done wrong, regrets doing what he\/she did, and wants to go forward with his\/her life.b. Because probation is a possibility in this case, tell the Judge that you do not think society would benefit from sending [Defendant\u2019s First Name] to jail and that a prison sentence would be detrimental to all concerned. It is important to explain why you think this.Respectfully yours,Your NameDownload a copy of this sample letter and outline. Then, insert your personal information (MS Word)"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Sample Letter to Friends and Relatives and Character Letter Outline","item":"https:\/\/www.brodenmickelsen.com\/blog\/character-letter-of-support-to-judge\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]