"Learn how to craft an effective character reference letter for court proceedings with our comprehensive guide. Mention your name, occupation, and how long you've known the individual in question.Paint a picture of your relationship. Susan has a productive future ahead of her. (Describe here her accomplishments of the past, especially civic duties, volunteer positions. Defend a friend or family member's moral character in court. Use our Character Reference Letter for Court template to easily write your document. I am writing this letter on behalf of a former student of mine who is presently before you on criminal charges and is due to be sentenced shortly. The goal of character reference letters is to tell the judge a story. To give the judge insight into a defendant as a person.