I am writing this letter on behalf of a family member mine who is presently before you on criminal charges and is due to be sentenced shortly. Your Information (first thing that goes on the inside of the letter).Writing a character letter for a judge can be a daunting task. Here are nine essential tips for writing an effective sentencing letter. 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 overarching message of a character message should be to tell a story about the defendant. "Learn how to craft an effective character reference letter for court proceedings with our comprehensive guide. Honorable Judge: State your name, age and immigration status. Most Court documents are provided as PDF files.