Sadly, I am asking for your leniency in sentencing me and plea that your sentence be merciful and not punitive. Your Honor, I am writing you concerning my sentencing hearing.I understand that I have made a decision that will impact my entire life. In this article, we will discuss how to write a formal letter to a judge, along with the proper format and a sample letter. I am writing this letter on behalf of a former student of mine who is presently before you on criminal charges and is due to be sentenced shortly. A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. Set up the letter exactly as the defendant would: your address, then the date two lines beneath that, then the judge's address two lines beneath the date. A character letter is designed to show support for a defendant in a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court. Then, explain how you know the defendant you're writing about.
