A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. Include specific examples of how the person has helped you or someone else, or how he or she has been a leader or an inspiration.How To Start Your Letter. What parents and witnesses need to know about character reference letters to the court for child custody. Includes a downloadable sample and template. 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. Defend a friend or family member's moral character in court. Use our Character Reference Letter for Court template to easily write your document.