A character letter to a judge should establish your credibility, paint a full picture of the defendant and be respectful, among other things. Character Recommendation Templates You Can Use.Below are three examples of recommendation letters for a defendant in a Texas criminal case. Include specific examples of how the person has helped you or someone else, or how he or she has been a leader or an inspiration. 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. "Learn how to craft an effective character reference letter for court proceedings with our comprehensive guide. The goal of character reference letters is to tell the judge a story. To give the judge insight into a defendant as a person. You can go to the courthouse and request to review them from the court file.