Character Reference for Family Member for Court Drugs

In Kentucky, sentences in criminal cases are adamant by a judge. If yous are found guilty of a crime by a jury or if you plead guilty to a criminal criminal offence, a judge will look at the facts of the case equally well as your criminal history in determining a sentence. One element that can often exist helpful during sentencing is a grapheme letter.

Character letters are written past friends, family, colleagues, and others who know the defendant in criminal cases. During sentencing, a gauge will typically merely allow a certain number of live witnesses to testify as to a defendant's character but will accept almost whatever number of letters.

Of class, a character letter is only effective if information technology is well-written and helps the guess sympathise a fuller moving-picture show of the defendant. These tips from an experienced Lexington criminal defense force attorney can assistance your loved ones equally they typhoon character letters in support of yous.

What Is the Goal of a Character Alphabetic character?

A graphic symbol alphabetic character is designed to show support for a defendant in a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court, and may fifty-fifty touch on the ultimate sentence in a criminal example. For this reason, graphic symbol letters should be carefully drafted in social club to maximize their utility.

For individuals writing character letters, the goal should be to get-go establish your credibility as a reference for the defendant. Next, the alphabetic character should describe the defendant, in lodge to help the judge amend empathise him or her beyond the offense committed. Finally, the letter should be respectful, and should not undermine the defendant'south case. The beneath guidelines can help in writing an influential character letter.

Tips for an Effective Character Letter

A good grapheme letter can be incredibly helpful to a accused's instance. Writing such a letter tin be a challenge, especially for those who are inexperienced with the criminal justice arrangement. Read on to acquire more about how to write a top-notch alphabetic character of support.

Tip One: Setting the Stage

As an initial thing, a character alphabetic character should merely come from people who actually know the accused. Form character letters are not persuasive. Instead, each writer should kickoff their character letter by discussing how long they have known the defendant and how they know the defendant. If the person knows the accused in a professional chapters, the introductory paragraph can explicate that relationship.

Tip Two: Tell a Story

The overarching bulletin of a character bulletin should be to tell a story nearly the accused. Think most what makes your friend, family member or colleague more than just a "defendant," and how you tin can convey that to the court. Doing so can potentially influence the guess'due south decision — and help your loved one receive a more favorable sentence.

When writing, avoid simply describing the defendant in terms similar "he is loyal." Instead, tell a story almost his loyalty, or how he has been an ethical member of the community. A story volition stand up out in the gauge's listen more than than adjectives will, making your letter of the alphabet more effective.

Tip 3: Avoid Undermining the Instance

It is often tempting for a person writing a character letter to discuss how the defendant isn't really guilty, how this "isn't similar him," how the defendant merely pleaded guilty to the crime to get a better sentence, or fifty-fifty how the jury got information technology incorrect. Doing this will not help the accused, and may even negatively impact his instance.

Instead, focus on telling a story about the accused, equally described above. Phrases that you tin use include saying "I respect that a jury has found _____ guilty of _____ criminal offence. I am writing this letter of the alphabet to offer a more consummate picture of who_____ is equally a person."  In this fashion, you tin show respect for the criminal justice organization while demonstrating to the court that your loved one may deserve a reduced sentence.

Tip Four: Formatting Considerations

Generally, the messages should be typed on 8.five past 11-inch standard paper. Remember that the goal is to get the court to read your letter, and the easier that you lot make it for them to read, the better. The but exception is if the alphabetic character is written by a kid. In that example, a handwritten letter may be more than powerful.

Character letters should include your name, mailing address, phone number and email address so that the courtroom tin verify your information. They should exist addressed either to the Honorable [Offset Name] [Terminal Name] or Gauge [Start NAME] [LAST Proper noun]. Although you can put the instance number on the letter, it is not necessary, as information technology will be submitted past the lawyer.

Tip Five: Understand a Realistic Outcome

At the cease of a character letter, most writers make an "ask" of the court. This can be as simple as requesting leniency, in consideration of the defendant's exemplary history. However, in some cases, a letter writer may brand a sentencing asking.

If you lot programme to make a specific "enquire" at the end of your letter, exist certain that you lot understand the potential sentences for the crime in question. In Kentucky, at that place are mandatory minimums for certain crimes, such every bit for persistent felony offenders. Cheque with the attorney earlier making a request for a specific punishment, in lodge to maintain your credibility as a writer.

Sample Format for a Character Letter

If y'all take been asked to write a character letter of the alphabet, this simple template may exist a useful guide.

Proper name of Person Making Recommendation

Title of Person Making Recommendation [If Applicable]

Accost

Phone Number

Email Address

To Whom It May Concern:

Commencement Paragraph: Explain who you are. Next, explicate how you lot know the person that you are writing the character letter of the alphabet for, including how long and how well you take known them.

2d Paragraph: Explicate why yous are writing the letter. State that you respect that the defendant has been establish guilty or pled guilty to a crime, and that you lot are writing the letter to offer a fuller picture of him or her equally a person. Include specific examples of how the person has helped yous or someone else, or how he or she has been a leader or an inspiration.

Third Paragraph: Thank the courtroom, and make your "ask."  State that you lot are available to ostend the facts in this letter as necessary.

Sincerely,

Signature

Character Reference for Family Member for Court Drugs

Source: https://baldanilaw.com/effective-character-letter-tips/