How to Write a Support Letter for Family Court

In Kentucky, sentences in criminal cases are determined past a judge. If you lot are found guilty of a crime by a jury or if you plead guilty to a criminal offense, a judge will look at the facts of the case as well as your criminal history in determining a sentence. One chemical element that can frequently be helpful during sentencing is a character letter of the alphabet.

Character letters are written by friends, family, colleagues, and others who know the defendant in criminal cases. During sentencing, a approximate volition typically only allow a certain number of live witnesses to prove as to a defendant's character but volition accept almost any number of letters.

Of grade, a character letter is only effective if it is well-written and helps the guess understand a fuller movie of the defendant. These tips from an experienced Lexington criminal defense attorney tin can aid your loved ones equally they typhoon character letters in support of yous.

What Is the Goal of a Character Letter?

A character letter is designed to prove support for a defendant in a criminal case. These letters have the potential to influence the court, and may even impact the ultimate judgement in a criminal instance. For this reason, grapheme letters should be advisedly drafted in order to maximize their utility.

For individuals writing graphic symbol letters, the goal should be to first establish your credibility as a reference for the accused. Next, the letter should describe the accused, in club to assist the approximate better sympathise him or her beyond the offense committed. Finally, the letter should be respectful, and should not undermine the accused'southward example. The below guidelines tin assist in writing an influential grapheme letter.

Tips for an Constructive Character Letter

A adept grapheme letter tin can be incredibly helpful to a defendant'southward case. Writing such a letter can be a claiming, peculiarly for those who are inexperienced with the criminal justice system. Read on to acquire more about how to write a meridian-notch letter of the alphabet of back up.

Tip One: Setting the Stage

As an initial matter, a character alphabetic character should only come from people who actually know the defendant. Form character letters are not persuasive. Instead, each writer should start their graphic symbol alphabetic character past discussing how long they accept known the defendant and how they know the defendant. If the person knows the defendant in a professional capacity, the introductory paragraph can explain that human relationship.

Tip Two: Tell a Story

The overarching bulletin of a character message should be to tell a story about the defendant. Think about what makes your friend, family member or colleague more than just a "defendant," and how y'all can convey that to the court. Doing so can potentially influence the judge'due south conclusion — and help your loved one receive a more favorable sentence.

When writing, avoid just describing the accused in terms like "he is loyal." Instead, tell a story about his loyalty, or how he has been an upstanding member of the community. A story volition stand out in the approximate'south listen more than adjectives will, making your letter more effective.

Tip Iii: Avoid Undermining the Case

It is oft tempting for a person writing a grapheme letter to discuss how the defendant isn't really guilty, how this "isn't like him," how the defendant only pleaded guilty to the law-breaking to become a amend sentence, or even how the jury got it wrong. Doing this will not help the defendant, and may even negatively bear upon his case.

Instead, focus on telling a story about the defendant, as described above. Phrases that you can utilise include saying "I respect that a jury has institute _____ guilty of _____ crime. I am writing this letter of the alphabet to offer a more consummate picture of who_____ is as a person."  In this way, you can testify respect for the criminal justice system while demonstrating to the court that your loved ane may deserve a reduced sentence.

Tip Four: Formatting Considerations

Generally, the letters should be typed on 8.5 by 11-inch standard paper. Remember that the goal is to get the court to read your alphabetic character, and the easier that you get in for them to read, the better. The but exception is if the letter is written past a child. In that case, a handwritten letter may be more than powerful.

Character letters should include your proper noun, mailing address, telephone number and email accost then that the court can verify your data. They should exist addressed either to the Honorable [Kickoff Proper noun] [LAST Proper name] or Approximate [Kickoff Proper name] [Last NAME]. Although y'all can put the case number on the letter, it is not necessary, every bit it volition be submitted by the lawyer.

Tip Five: Understand a Realistic Outcome

At the end of a character alphabetic character, virtually writers make an "ask" of the court. This tin be as simple as requesting leniency, in consideration of the defendant's exemplary history. Nonetheless, in some cases, a letter writer may make a sentencing asking.

If you plan to make a specific "ask" at the end of your alphabetic character, be sure that you sympathize the potential sentences for the crime in question. In Kentucky, there are mandatory minimums for sure crimes, such every bit for persistent felony offenders. Check with the attorney before making a request for a specific punishment, in order to maintain your credibility as a writer.

Sample Format for a Character Letter of the alphabet

If you have been asked to write a character alphabetic character, this simple template may be a useful guide.

Proper noun of Person Making Recommendation

Championship of Person Making Recommendation [If Applicable]

Accost

Phone Number

Email Address

To Whom It May Concern:

First Paragraph: Explain who you lot are. Next, explain how yous know the person that y'all are writing the grapheme letter for, including how long and how well you have known them.

Second Paragraph: Explain why y'all are writing the letter of the alphabet. State that you lot respect that the defendant has been institute guilty or pled guilty to a offense, and that you lot are writing the letter to offering a fuller picture of him or her every bit a person. Include specific examples of how the person has helped you or someone else, or how he or she has been a leader or an inspiration.

Third Paragraph: Give thanks the courtroom, and make your "inquire."  State that yous are bachelor to ostend the facts in this letter as necessary.

Sincerely,

Signature

henryressuffe1977.blogspot.com

Source: https://baldanilaw.com/effective-character-letter-tips/