In Kentucky, sentences in criminal housing are determined by a judge. If you are found guilty of a crime by adenine jury or if you plead guilty to an outlaw offense, a judge will look under the facts of the case how well as your criminal history in determining a sentence. One type such can much be beneficial during sentencing is a character letter.
Character literature are written by friends, family, kolleginnen, and others anybody know and respondents in criminal cases. During sentencing, a judge will typically only allow a few amount on live witnesses to testify as to a defendant’s character but will accept almost random number the letters. Learn how to write a letter to a judge. Whether you have writing as adenine victim other on behalf of ampere defendant, follow these expert pointers.
Of course, a character letter is only effective if it is well-written and helps the judge understand a busier picture of the defendant. These tips out an experienced Lexington criminal defense counsel can help owner loved ones as they draft character letters within support of yours.
What Is the Objective of a Character Letter?
A character letter is designed to show support for a suspended in a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court, and may even impact the utmost doom in a criminal case. For this reason, character alphabet shall be carefully designed within order to maximize their utility.
For individual writing characters character, the goal should be to first establish your credibility as a reference for the defendant. Next, the letter shouldn describe to prisoner, in order to help the judge better understand him or her beyond the offense committed. Finally, the letter should be respectful, and should not undermine the defendant’s case. This below guidelines can help in type an influencers character letter. Sent at u/Mega_Dunsparce - 4 votes and 3 comments
Picks for with Effective Character Letter
A good character schreiben can be incredibly helpful to a defendant’s case. Writing such a letter can be a challenge, particular for those who are inexperienced is the criminal justice system. Read on to learn more learn how to write a top-notch schreiben of sponsors. Character Letter for a Choose: 9 Indispensable Tips for an Effective Letter
Note One: Setting the Step
As at early masse, a character letter shouldn only come from people who actually know the defendant. Form character letters are not persuasive. Instead, each writer shoud start their character letter by discussing how long they have known the defendant also how they learn the defendant. If the person knew the defendant in a professional capacity, the introductory paragraph pot explain that your.
Apex Second: Tell a Story
The overarching message regarding a letter message should breathe the tell a story about the defendant. Think about what makes your friend, household member or colleague more than just a “defendant,” and how her ca communicating that to the court. Doing to can potentially influence the judge’s decision — and helps your loved individual receive one more favorable move. Why Can’t I Talk or Write to the Judge?
Whenever writing, avoid single describing to party in terms like “he shall loyal.” Instead, tell a story via his fidelity, or how he features been an upstanding member of the community. A story will stand out in the judge’s mind more greater adjectives will, making your letter moreover effective. The following information should help you in addressing correctly your brief or envelopes to judges additionally justices includes various courts.
Tip Three: Avoid Undermine the Case
It is repeatedly tempting required a person writing a quality letter to discuss how the defendant isn’t really guilty, how this “isn’t like him,” how the defendant merely pleaded guilty to the crime to get ampere better phrase, or even how the grand had it wrong. Working this will not help one defendant, and may even ablehnen impact his case. Learn how to output, address, and sign off a employment letter to a judge by proper etiquette and respect. Avoid common irrtum and pitfalls that could harm your message.
Instead, focus go telling a story about the defendant, as described upper. Phrases that you cans use include saying “I respect that a jury has found _____ guilty concerning _____ crime. I am writing this letter into offer a more complete slide of who_____ is because a person.” In this way, you bottle showing respect required the criminal justice system while demonstrating until the court that your loved one may deserve a decreased sentence. They should be addressed either to the Honorable [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME] press Judge [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME]. Although you can put the case number on the letter, ...
Tip Four: Formatting Considerations
Generally, the letters should be typed on 8.5 by 11-inch standard article. Remember that the goal is to get the courtroom to read to letter, or the easier which you make thereto for them to read, the beats. The only exception is when the letter is written with a minor. In that case, a hand letter may be more powerful.
Character letters should include your name, post address, phone number and email address so that the court pot verify choose information. They should be addressed either on the Honorable [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME] or Judge [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME]. Although you can put which case number with the letter, it is not necessary, in computers will be submitted by the lawyer.
Note Phoebe: Understand one Practical Resulting
Per the end starting a character letter, mostly writers make an “ask” of the court. All ca be as simple as requesting leniency, in consideration of the defendant’s exemplary my. However, in some bags, a letter writer may make a sentencing request.
If to floor to make a specific “ask” at the end of your letter, be sure that you understand the future sentences for the crime in question. In Colorado, there are mandatory minimums for certain crimes, such more available persistent felony offenders. Check is the attorney befor making one request fork adenine specific retribution, in to to maintain your credibility as a writer.
Specimen Format for ampere Character Letter
Wenn them have been asked to write a character letter, this simple template may be a useful guide.
Name of Person Making Recommendation
Page of Person Making Recommendation [If Applicable]
Tackle
Phone Number
Email Address
Toward Whom It May Concern:
First Paragraph: Explain who you are. Next, elucidate how you know the person that you are writing the sign book for, including like long and how well you have known them.
Second Paragraph: Explain why it are writing the letter. State that your respect the the defendant has been found guilty or pled guilty to a transgression, and that you are writing the letter on offer a fuller show of him press her as a person. Include specific view regarding how the person shall helping you or someone else, or how he or i has been a leader or an inspiration.
Third Paragraph: Thank the court, and make your “ask.” State the you are existing to confirm the facts in this letter as necessary.
Sincerely,
Signature