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.Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph. What parents and witnesses need to know about character reference letters to the court for child custody. Includes a downloadable sample and template. Templates and Samples of Court Character Reference Letters as PDF for Victoria, Australia. Use this template to create a powerful character reference letter for court. Browse sample formats and examples for inspiration. Writing a character letter for a judge can be a daunting task. Here are nine essential tips for writing an effective sentencing letter.