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 letter plays a dual role.Sample Format for a Character Letter. If you have been asked to write a character letter, this simple template may be a useful guide. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. MC-030. What parents and witnesses need to know about character reference letters to the court for child custody. Includes a downloadable sample and template. On this page below is a list of LOCAL forms that can be completed online and then printed. The form you need may be in this list. The first paragraph should tell the judge who you are writing to him about and how you know the defendant.