Character Letters for Federal Sentencing: How to Write a Letter to the Judge

A character letter is a short, honest letter to the federal judge from someone who knows the person being sentenced. It tells the judge who that person is beyond the crime. The judge must consider the person's "history and characteristics," and letters from people who know them are a common way those facts reach the court (18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(1)).

This guide is for anyone who knows the person: you, someone you love, a coworker, a friend or a neighbor. It covers federal court only.

What is a character letter for court?

It is a letter of support written for a sentencing hearing. People also call it a letter to the judge, a letter of support or a mitigation letter. The writer explains how they know the person and shares specific, true examples of the person's life, work and conduct.

Federal law puts no limit on the information about a person's "background, character, and conduct" that a judge may receive and consider when choosing a sentence (18 U.S.C. § 3661). A letter is one way to give the judge that information.

Why do federal judges read character letters?

Because the law tells them to look at the whole person. After the judge calculates the guideline range, the judge must weigh the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). The first factor is "the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant."

The court papers mostly describe the crime. The presentence report adds background, but it is written by a probation officer who met the person briefly. Letters fill in what only family, friends, employers and neighbors know. Since November 1, 2025, facts like these are argued as reasons for a variance under § 3553(a), because the Guidelines no longer have departures (see departures and variances).

Who should write a character letter?

People who know the person well and can give specific examples. Good writers often include:

• Family members, such as a spouse, parent, adult child, brother or sister.
• Employers, supervisors and coworkers, who can speak to work history and whether a job is waiting.
• Clergy and members of a faith community.
• Teachers, coaches, mentors and counselors, including treatment providers who can describe progress.
• Friends, neighbors and community members, including people the person has helped.

A few detailed letters from people who know the person well usually say more than many short, general ones. The defense lawyer can help decide which voices matter most.

The person being sentenced speaks for themselves too. At the hearing, the judge must give them a chance to speak or present any information to lower the sentence (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(i)(4)(A)(ii)). This is called allocution. Some people also write their own letter. Because anything the person says about the offense can affect the case, they should write it only with their lawyer's advice.

What should a character letter say?

Write in your own words, and stick to what you know firsthand.

• Who you are. Your name, your work, and where you live.
• How you know the person, and for how long. "I have been her supervisor for six years" tells the judge why your view matters.
• Specific examples. Describe things you saw: how the person cared for a sick parent, trained new workers, or helped a neighbor. One real story is worth more than a list of adjectives.
• That you know about the conviction. Say that you know what the person was convicted of. It shows the judge you are writing with the facts in mind.
• What you have seen since. If it is true, describe changes you have seen, such as treatment, steady work, or how the person talks about what happened.
• The support waiting. A job, a place to live, rides to appointments, or help following the rules of supervised release.
• Who depends on the person, if anyone does, and how.

What should you leave out of a letter to the judge?

• Arguments about the law or the guidelines. The lawyer handles the guideline range and legal arguments.
• Denials of guilt or a different version of the facts. Disputing the conviction in a letter can work against the person.
• Attacks on anyone. Do not criticize the victim, the prosecutor, the agents or the court.
• A number of months. Do not ask for a specific sentence unless the defense lawyer advises it.
• Anything you cannot stand behind. Exaggeration hurts trust in every other letter.
• Copied wording. Judges read many letters. A template letter reads like one.

One or two pages is usually enough. Type it if you can, and sign and date it.

How do character letters get to the judge?

Send your letter to the defense lawyer, not to the judge. The lawyer reviews the letters, decides which to submit, and files them with the court, usually as exhibits to the sentencing memorandum. That way the prosecutor and the judge see the same materials, and nothing reaches the judge outside the case.

Ask the lawyer for a deadline and send the letter early. The judge needs time to read the letters before the hearing, and the memorandum deadline comes from the court's local rules or the judge's orders, not from one national rule (Fed. R. Crim. P. 32). Ask, too, whether the letter will be part of the public court file, and leave out private details you would not want others to read.

Who should I address the letter to?

Address it to the judge by name and title. A common format is:

• Heading: The Honorable [judge's first and last name], United States District Judge, [name of the district court]
• Greeting: Dear Judge [last name]:

The defense lawyer can confirm the judge's name and the court. If the case is before a magistrate judge, use "United States Magistrate Judge" instead.

Sample character letter outline

This is a structure with placeholders, not a form letter. Fill each part with your own facts and words.

1. Heading and greeting. The date, the judge's name and title, and "Dear Judge [last name]:"
2. Introduction (one paragraph). "My name is [your name]. I am [your job or role] in [city, state]. I have known [person's name] for [number] years as [relationship]."
3. Why you are writing (one or two sentences). That you know about the conviction in [person's name]'s case and want the court to know more about them.
4. Who the person is (two or three paragraphs). [A specific story you saw.] [Another example of character, work or family role.] [How the person has acted since the case began, if you know.]
5. Support going forward (one paragraph). [The job, housing, or help you or others will provide.]
6. Closing. Thank the judge for reading. Sign your full name, and add [your phone number or email] so the lawyer can reach you.

Common questions

How do you write a letter to a judge for sentencing?

Introduce yourself, say how you know the person and for how long, and give specific, true examples of their character, work and family role. Mention that you know about the conviction, describe the support waiting for them, and leave out legal arguments and attacks on anyone. Judges may consider any information about a person's background, character and conduct at sentencing (18 U.S.C. § 3661).

What is a character letter for court?

It is a letter from someone who knows the person being sentenced that tells the judge about that person's life and character. In federal court, the judge must consider the person's "history and characteristics" when choosing a sentence (18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(1)). Letters are usually filed by the defense lawyer, often with the sentencing memorandum.

Can I write a letter to the judge before sentencing?

Yes. Anyone who knows the person can write one, because federal law puts no limit on the background and character information a judge may consider (18 U.S.C. § 3661). Send it to the defense lawyer rather than the judge, so the lawyer can file it with the court and both sides see it.

Who should I address the letter to?

Address it to the judge who will impose the sentence, for example "The Honorable [full name], United States District Judge," with the greeting "Dear Judge [last name]." The defense lawyer can confirm the judge's name and the court. Send the finished letter to the lawyer, who submits it.

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