"Learn how to craft an effective character reference letter for court proceedings with our comprehensive guide. Defend a friend or family member's moral character in court.Use our Character Reference Letter for Court template to easily write your document. 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. Include your contact information. The goal of character reference letters is to tell the judge a story. To give the judge insight into a defendant as a person.