"Learn how to craft an effective character reference letter for court proceedings with our comprehensive guide. Sample Format for a Character Letter.If you have been asked to write a character letter, this simple template may be a useful guide. A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. What parents and witnesses need to know about character reference letters to the court for child custody. Includes a downloadable sample and template. In this article, we will discuss how to write a formal letter to a judge, along with the proper format and a sample letter. The first paragraph should tell the judge who you are writing to him about and how you know the defendant. You'd also want to say how long you have known her. For example, in a "letter of reference," you might state something like, "My friend Reginald Kray is a good person, and a great father.