A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. A character recommendation letter for court is a document that provides insight into your character and personal attributes.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 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. Character letters can be a powerful tool to persuade the judge to assess a lighter sentence. They are an essential part of your criminal case. There's not time to read all that comes before a judge to read. 2. How you know (Defendant Name).