Defend a friend or family member's moral character in court. Use our Character Reference Letter for Court template to easily write your document.A character letter is designed to show support for a defendant in a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court. Good character reference letters help the judge understand the defendant as an individual. Ideally, the writer should express how he or she knows the defendant. Character reference letters can play an important role in defending a criminal case. While "character" is normally not at issue in a jury trial. Character reference letters can play an important role in defending a criminal case. To fill out this form, gather your references and ensure they understand the requirements.