Free template for a character reference letter for a DUI charge! Sample Format for a Character Letter.If you have been asked to write a character letter, this simple template may be a useful guide. In this article, we will discuss how to write a formal letter to a judge, along with the proper format and a sample letter. I respect a jury has found _____ guilty of ______. I am writing to offer a more complete picture of who ______ is. 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. Defend a friend or family member's moral character in court. Use our Character Reference Letter for Court template to easily write your document.