A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. What parents and witnesses need to know about character reference letters to the court for child custody.Includes a downloadable sample and template. In this article, we will discuss how to write a formal letter to a judge, along with the proper format and a sample letter. A character letter is designed to show support for a defendant in a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court. Here are a few pointers. I "state my appearance" to start things off. 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 letter is a letter of support from people who know you to help show judges and DAs the positive sides of you.