Victoria Legal Aid

Going to court – writing a character reference

This page explains how to write a character reference for someone who is going to court because they broke the law.

You have been asked to write a character reference for someone going to court because this person has broken the law. A character reference is a letter and includes your opinion of this person.

How is the character reference used?

The magistrate or judge will read the reference before deciding what penalty to give. The prosecutor in court will also read the reference.

The reference will be more helpful if you have known the person for a long time or have had a lot of contact with them.

You must also be of good character and not have been in serious trouble with the police before.

What should I include in the reference?

The tone of the reference

Write the character reference so it is formal but speaks honestly about this person.

Do not say what penalty you think the person should get. This is for the magistrate or judge to decide.

The contents of the reference

Below are questions that the magistrate or judge usually wants to know about. You do not have to answer every question in your reference. Only comment on things you actually know about the person. It is important to tell the truth.

Who you are

  • Introduce yourself, say what your job is and include any qualifications you hold.

Your relationship to the person

  • How do you know the person? How long have you known them? How often do you see or call them?

Your knowledge of the person’s charges

  • Has the person talked with you about the charges and why they are going to court?
  • How do they feel about what they have done?
  • Are they sorry for what they did?
  • How have they shown that? For example, have they been distressed or upset?
  • Have they gone to counselling or done anything to change their behaviour??
  • Have they paid for any damage or said sorry to the victim?
  • Has the person suffered any hardship or punishment because of these offences? For example, did they lose their job?
  • Was their reputation damaged?
  • Do they feel disgraced in their community or among family and friends?

Your knowledge of what is going on in the person’s life

  • What do you know of the person’s background and any hardship in their life?
  • Are there any personal problems that may have played a part in what they did? For example, drug or alcohol use, financial issues, mental illness.
  • Are they getting any help to overcome these problems?

Your opinion of the person’s character

  • What is their general character and reputation in the community?
  • What sort of person are they?
  • Is it out of character that this person committed the offence? Why do you think this?
  • Do they have prior convictions? If so, does this affect your opinion of the person?
  • Has the person contributed to their community by doing voluntary work, or had special achievements in their job or schooling, or sporting activities?

How to set out the reference

Write the reference like a letter. Type it up and put it on a letterhead if you have one.

Tips

  • Put the date at the top of the reference.
  • For cases being heard in the Magistrates’ Court, address the reference to ‘The Presiding Magistrate, [court location]’. For cases in the County or Supreme Court, address it to ‘The Presiding Judge’.
  • Start all references with ‘Your Honour’.
  • Include your full name and phone number.
  • Sign the reference at the end.

Where to send the reference

Give the reference to the person going to court. Do this well before the court date. Or send it to their lawyer. You can also call the lawyer to discuss the reference.

Example character reference

14 February 2013

The Presiding Magistrate
Melbourne Magistrates’ Court

Your Honour,

[Who you are]

My name is Peter Johnson of 1 Temple Court, Keilor Park, architect.

[Your relationship to the person charged]

I have known Jane Citizen of 123 Alphabet Street, South Melbourne, retail assistant, for five years. We used to work together.

[Your knowledge of the person’s charges]

I understand that Jane Citizen has to attend court about a theft charge. She is very upset about the charge and I believe she is sorry for what she has done.

[Your knowledge of what is going on in the person’s life]

She has been under stress due to her mother’s difficult battle with cancer. Even though she has been charged with theft I would continue to trust Jane with my money and belongings.

[Your opinion of the person’s character]

I can say that in all the time I have known her, Jane Citizen has been a decent, hardworking and trustworthy person. I believe any behaviour she displayed that caused her to be charged with theft was a one-off event.

I am happy to discuss this reference and can be contacted on [include your phone number here].

Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
Peter Johnson

Other support

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Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Reviewed 01 November 2023

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