A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. 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 goal of character reference letters is to tell the judge a story. To give the judge insight into a defendant as a person. A character letter is designed to show support for a defendant in a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court. Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph. Everything you need to write a declaration letter to the judge in your custody case: an example, a downloadable template, an outline and tips. A character reference letter for court child custody is a legal document serving as the recommendation for a parent who wishes to become a guardian.