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.A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. 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. A character letter is designed to show support for a defendant in a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court. The purpose of a character reference letter for court is to paint a defendant in a positive light through the words of someone who knows the defendant well. Forms ; Summons extra caption. PDF ; Complaint sample. Use the judge's title properly, but only once in the salutation. 2.