A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. Sample Format for a Character Letter.If you have been asked to write a character letter, this simple template may be a useful guide. 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. A character letter is a letter of support from people who know you to help show judges and DAs the positive sides of you. Highlight the defendant's positive traits, such as honesty, integrity, hard work, or community involvement. Defend a friend or family member's moral character in court. Use our Character Reference Letter for Court template to easily write your document. Use specific examples of when you observed the defendant's good character.