A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. A character reference letter for court should address the points the accused's attorney wants to emphasize, such as the defendant's positive work history.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 character reference letter for court serves the purpose of offering the Judge insights into the Defendant's moral or mental attributes. Character letters can be a powerful tool to persuade the judge to assess a lighter sentence. They are an essential part of your criminal case. 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? A good character reference is someone who can vouch for you during a criminal court case.