Character reference for court

Write a character reference for someone appearing before a court: how you know them, what you know of the charge, and what you have seen of their character. Free, no sign-up.

A character reference is written by someone who knows the defendant, not by the defendant. It carries weight only if it says how long and in what capacity you have known them, and only if it makes clear that you know what they have been charged with or convicted of — a reference from someone who has not been told carries none. Say what you have seen yourself, give examples, and leave the verdict and the sentence to the court.

Your full name *

Your address *

Your email

Your phone

Your occupation *

Court *

Court address

The person you are writing about *

Case or reference number

Hearing date, if known

You have known them since

How you know them *

What they have been charged with, or convicted of *

Where the case has got to *

Are you involved in the case yourself? *

What you understand the case to be about *

What you have seen of their character *

Who depends on them, and how a sentence would affect them

Is this out of character, as you have known them?

Signed at (town)

Date *

Working…

Write it yourself and sign it yourself: a reference drafted by the defendant and signed by a friend is worse than none, and courts recognise the pattern. Name the offence and say where the case has got to — a reference that pleads for someone who has already pleaded guilty reads quite differently from one written before trial, and a reference that shows no sign of knowing what the charge is carries no weight at all. If you are a witness in the case, or the complainant, or otherwise involved, say so on the form: the letter will not then claim you are a stranger to it. Do not say the person is innocent and do not suggest a sentence; that is the court's business, and it is the fastest way to have the letter set aside. Print it, sign it by hand and give it to the person's solicitor, not to the court directly.

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Frequently asked questions

What makes a character reference count?

Saying that you know what the person has been charged with. A warm letter from someone who was never told what the case is about carries no weight, and courts say so. Give examples you have witnessed yourself, and leave guilt and sentence to the court.

Is this document free?

Yes. The Character reference for court generator is completely free, with no account, no watermark and no limit on how many you create.

Is my data sent anywhere?

No. The form is turned into a PDF inside your browser — your details never leave your device and nothing is stored.

Can I edit the document afterwards?

Yes. Download the PDF, or open it straight in the editor to adjust the wording, add a logo or sign it by hand.

Are my details remembered?

Your own name, address and contact details are saved in your browser only, so the next document is almost filled in already. Clearing your browser data removes them.