Write a character letter for court that a judge will actually read

Answer a few quick questions. We turn what you know about this person into a one-page letter, in the format judges and defense attorneys expect — no templates, no legal jargon.

Free draft, no sign-upBuilt on public defender guidanceDeleted after 30 days
1 · About you
2 · Quick facts
3 · One story
4 · Your letter
Who are you to them?
How are you related? (optional — we won't guess)
What is the case about? (pick the closest — "Not sure" is fine)
What are they like? (we picked the most common — change freely)
What have they done since the arrest? (judges care about this)
About you — for the opening line and signature (optional, you can add it later)
How will you support them after release? (housing, a job, rides — the board looks for this)
Tell one short, true moment that shows who they are. (optional — this is what makes judges pay attention)
Please only write what really happened. Don't write about the case itself — we'll handle the wording.

What we did for you

    Full letter, Word + PDF download, 3 tone rewrites, and step-by-step instructions for sending it. Your private link: save this link.

    How to write a character letter for court in 3 steps

    1
    Say who you are

    Your name, what you do, how you know the person and for how long. Judges give weight to letters from people who really know the defendant.

    2
    Show, don't claim

    One specific, true moment beats ten adjectives. "He drove my mother to chemo every week" says more than "he is kind".

    3
    Acknowledge, then ask

    Recognize that the case is serious, describe what they have done since, and respectfully ask the court to consider it.

    What not to put in a character letter

    • Don't say they are innocent or argue about the facts of the case.
    • Don't blame the victim, the police, or anyone else.
    • Don't ask for a specific sentence (for example "no jail time") unless the attorney asks you to.
    • Don't use a fill-in-the-blank template — judges read hundreds of letters and recognize them.
    • Keep it to one page, address the judge correctly, and leave out private details.

    Based on published guidance from federal public defender offices, federal district courts and criminal defense attorneys. This site does not provide legal advice.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do judges actually read character letters?

    Yes. At sentencing, judges consider the person’s history and character — for federal cases the law says so directly (18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)). Letters from people who really know the defendant are one of the few ways the court hears about them outside the case file.

    How long should a character letter for court be?

    One page — roughly 250 to 400 words. Judges read many letters; short, specific and sincere is more persuasive than long.

    Who should I send the letter to?

    Usually to the defense attorney, who files the letters together or gives them to the probation office. Some judges don’t accept letters sent to them directly, so ask the attorney first.

    Can a family member write a character letter?

    Yes — family letters are common. Focus on specific things you have seen, and on how the person supports the people who depend on them.

    Will my letter be public?

    It can be. In many courts sentencing letters become part of the court record. Leave out private details like addresses, dates of birth and children’s names.

    Is this legal advice?

    No. We help you put what you know into the format courts expect. Your attorney decides how letters are used in the case.