"Learn how to craft an effective character reference letter for court proceedings with our comprehensive guide. What parents and witnesses need to know about character reference letters to the court for child custody.Includes a downloadable sample and template. The introduction should state who you are, how long you've known the individual, and why you feel the need to make this recommendation to the court. The purpose of a character reference letter for court is to paint a defendant in a positive light through the words of someone who knows the defendant well. The Minnesota bar application is a sworn document filed with the Board, an agency of the Minnesota Supreme Court.