If you have to go to court, a character reference is an important tool used by criminal lawyers to demonstrate to a Magistrate or a Judge why a sentence should be mitigated. A character reference is a written letter and plays a crucial role by informing the Magistrate or Judge about the character and personal attributes of the Defendant.
There are many different facets to why a character reference is important and it should be first considered by an experienced criminal lawyer prior to any character references being exchanged with the prosecution or a judicial officer.
When an accused person is sentenced after a guilty plea or being found guilty, they must attend Court for sentencing. A character reference is essential and may influence the sentence imposed by the sentencing Judge or Magistrate. During the sentencing process, the Defendant’s lawyer presents written character references to the prosecution and the Magistrate or Judge.
Character references are an important consideration when determining an appropriate penalty during sentencing. Mitigating factors, such as the circumstances leading to the offence, the Defendant’s overall character and exceptional circumstances may reduce the severity of the penalty or sentence imposed.
A court finding of “exceptional circumstances”, also known as special circumstances, allows the Court to consider whether family hardship is a mitigating factor during sentencing. The sentencing Magistrate or Judge may find exceptional circumstances if the hardship that the Defendant’s family members will suffer as a result of the Defendant’s sentence is extreme, but this is a very high bar.
If any factors in the Defendant’s personal circumstances may be relevant to a finding of exceptional circumstances, it is important that these are detailed in a character reference, and considered by an experienced criminal lawyer before being provided to the prosecution or the bench.
Generally, the more character references you can provide, the better. Your criminal lawyer can help you choose the most appropriate character reference and guide your referee to include the most relevant and helpful information. Quality over quantity is always important to consider here, the other factor that will play a role in determining the number of character references will be the nature of the offence and the seriousness of the matter.
The most compelling character references are usually provided by family members, a close friend, family friend or work colleagues who have frequent contact with the Defendant and understand the Defendant’s circumstances in the context of the offence.
Family members
Employers or past employers
Colleagues or past colleagues
Friends
If you have been asked to write a character reference for court, consider the following tips, formatting guide and examples.
Remember to give specific details and relevant character traits, including examples supporting your opinion. Always consult the Defendant’s criminal lawyer when writing or requesting a character reference.
The best character references address only what you know about the Defendant from your relationship and give examples supporting your insights.
Character references are an important opportunity to show the Court the Defendant’s positive attributes, good character and if they have shown remorse or insight into their actions.
The headings below may help structure a character reference. Consider the examples included where relevant.
Set out who you are, your occupation and what other responsibilities you may have. Include any titles held, qualifications you may have, and whether you are a member of any community groups or sporting organisations.
Remember, the Magistrate or Judge does not know the Defendant. They rely on lawyers and documents such as character references to provide this information.
Explain how you know the person.
‘I have known John for 2 years, he is a kind person, a great friend and colleague. He has supported me during this time, and I will support him as he works through his behaviour issues.’
Provide detail about the person’s life, the nature of your relationship and the role this person has in your life.
‘Jane is my neighbour and supports me in many ways with my disabled son. She helps him in the garden, with chores around the house and we have been in regular contact for 7 years. She is kind and generous and I am proud to know her.’
Show that you are aware of the charges and the facts leading to the criminal offence. Demonstrating your knowledge of why you are writing a character reference for Court is essential.
Explain that you know the purpose for writing the character reference. You do not need to detail the offence/s specifically but it is helpful to use terminology consistent with the charges.
‘John told me that he has been charged for assaulting someone.’ or ‘I know that Jane has been charged for stealing.’
Provide your observations about the person’s life and their conduct around the offence.
If you believe the defendant has expressed remorse or shown attempts at rehabilitation, explain what you have noticed, such as:
Include whether the person has experienced other hardship or punishment because of the criminal offence itself, such as:
A character reference should include what you know about the defendant and their life. Include what may have impacted their offending, such as misuse of drugs and alcohol, financial hardship, or mental instability.
‘John has been experiencing depression and financial difficulties since his divorce. He is caring for his elderly mother and is worried about how this will affect her if he has to temporarily leave her.’
Indicate how you think a sentence is likely to impact the person’s work and family life.
Jane has been a great work colleague and she is likely to lose her job due for breaking the law. She is a single mum and she doesn’t know how she will provide for her family.’
If you are aware of any circumstances that may result in extreme distress to the defendant’s family in the event of their incarceration, it is important to include this in your character reference, such as:
Include what you know about the person’s character and their criminal history in your character reference.
Acknowledge the person’s history, how the person’s offending affects your opinion of the person and reference any changes they are making.
In your character reference, ensure you:
‘I am aware John has been in trouble with the police for similar offences. I believe he has addressed his recent actions by paying for the damage he caused. He also seems to better understand his behavioural issues since starting therapy. He is a close family friend and has been like a second father to my kids. I hope he can still be there for us.’
‘Jane is usually a caring person and is a close family member. I am aware that she has a criminal record from committing other offences relating to drugs. I am familiar with her history and aware of her recent drug use. I think she has addressed some of the causes of her recent relapse at rehab. She told me she is finally willing to accept support from our family.’
If the person has no criminal record, it is important to state in your character reference whether they are usually of good character and are generally well regarded.
‘John has a good reputation in the community, and he is the last person I’d expect to hurt someone or break the law. I am aware that he has made attempts to pay for damage he caused, and he is working to address his behaviour in therapy. He told me he was deeply sorry for his actions. His colleagues like him, he always follows company policies, and I hope to continue employing him.’
‘I am aware that Alice has committed a driving offence. This behaviour is completely out of character, and I have never known her to break the law. Alice is a giving person and volunteers work at the local primary school. She has always supported me as a work colleague and close friend.’
If you have been asked to write a character reference for court, it is essential to communicate to the court your knowledge of the individual and their personal circumstances in the context of their offending. Consider the following examples for various types of offences.
It is important to indicate whether the defendant is generally a violent person or whether this was a one-off incident.
‘I know John is pleading guilty to assault charges’ or ‘hurting someone’. ‘I have known John a long time since coaching the junior footy team together. I have never known him to hurt someone or to get in any trouble like that before.’
It is important to indicate if you know whether the person has been drinking less since the incident and whether they have insight into their conduct.
‘I know Jane is pleading guilty to driving under the influence. Jane started drinking heavily when her brother suicided 2 years ago. She told me she is drinking less since the offence and is attending group therapy. She was devastated that she could have hurt someone, and being caught has been a wake up call.’
It is important to indicate if you know whether the person is seeking treatment for drug issues and whether they have insight into their conduct.
‘I know John is pleading guilty to drugs charges. John has struggled with his addiction over the years. He has told me that he feels like he has hit rock bottom since these charges and that he is ready to seek support. He told me that the drug and alcohol counselling has been helpful.’
It is important to indicate if you know whether financial difficulties led to the charges, whether the person has repaid the value of items stolen, or whether they have apologised for their actions.
‘I know Jane has pleaded guilty to theft. She told me that she has been in serious financial trouble and has been hiding her gambling problem. Jane has been saving to repay the value of the stolen items. She seems relieved that she cant hide her problem anymore and has been getting therapy to address her gambling.’
It is important to indicate if you know whether the person is making attempts at rehabilitation, such as attending a behavioural management program, counselling or other support.
‘I know John has been charged for being violent at home. He told me he is devastated that he hurt his family. He has been doing the Men’s Behaviour Change Program and said he regrets not getting help sooner. I have noticed that John is more insightful and is finally doing work to process his own trauma. He also said he wants to do voluntary work with the men’s group to support others in similar situations.’
Character references should be given to the defendant and their criminal lawyer for review. DO NOT SEND THEM DIRECTLY TO THE PROSECUTION OR THE COURT
The defendant’s criminal lawyer can help you identify what information is relevant to the Court and should be included or excluded from your character reference.
The first point of call for obtaining advice about how to write a character reference is always the criminal lawyer representing the accused person. If they are not responsive, you might want to advise the accused to find a different criminal lawyer who will respond. Getting character references right is always very important.
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