A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. 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. All Illinois Courts must accept these forms. Good character reference letters help the judge understand the defendant as an individual. Ideally, the writer should express how he or she knows the defendant. All Illinois Courts must accept these forms. What is a Victim Impact Statement? A Victim Impact Statement is a written or oral statement presented to the court at the sentencing of the defendant.
