I am writing this letter on behalf of a family member mine who is presently before you on criminal charges and is due to be sentenced shortly. If you've been asked to write to the judge, use our sample character reference letter and fill-in-the-blank template.What's a character reference letter? The overarching message of a character message should be to tell a story about the defendant. Writing a character letter for a judge can be a daunting task. Here are nine essential tips for writing an effective sentencing letter. Everything you need to write a declaration letter to the judge in your custody case: an example, a downloadable template, an outline and tips. Always address a judge as "Your Honor". It doesn't matter if you are speaking or writing, or in or out of court. This disclaimer sets out the limit of services from selfhelp program and court staff.