

If you are a victim or writing on behalf of one, you can write about how the crime has affected the victim physically, emotionally, or socially. Then, state specifically what you want the outcome to be. Include the name of the victim or the defendant, how you know the defendant, and why you’re writing on behalf of them. Next, express exactly why you are writing. If you are well known in your community, your family name or place of work might make you more reputable in the eyes of the judge. If you are unsure, you can look up this information on the Federal Judicial Center website.Īfter addressing the letter, you will start by clearly stating who you are - your first and last name - as well as your occupation and your state of residence. ”īefore you write the address on the envelope and on the letter itself, be sure you know the judge’s proper title, whether it is Chief Justice, Justice, Chief Judge, or Judge.
CORRECT LETTER LAYOUT PROFESSIONAL
There is much more to consider than the professional tone - there is a precise and proper format to follow when writing a letter to a judge. Start with the envelope, writing to the judge in this format: But remember, grammar and spelling checkers are not foolproof, so proofread your letter a couple of times before finalizing it. However, the best way to write a letter to a judge is to pay very close attention to detail while writing, ensuring you run the letter through a grammar checker (like Grammarly) and spelling checker to remove errors. You do not have to be a professional writer to draft a clear, concise, and accurate letter. There will be someone available to the judge to translate your letter. This will help you get your ideas across accurately and clearly, rather than writing in a language you are not entirely comfortable with. Write in the language you are fluent in, whether or not that is English. In addition to following a business-style structure, you should write the letter in a professional tone to ensure the judge will take your letter seriously.

The best way to write a letter to a judge is in business style, which is a formal way of structuring your message (outlined below). If a family member or friend of the victim writes the letter, include statements regarding how others around the victim have been affected. If writing a letter on behalf of the defendant, talk about the positive aspects of the defendant’s character and explain how the sentence will affect the defendant and his or her family.Ī victim can write his or her own victim statement as well, which is quite impactful since he or she is the person most closely affected by the crime.
CORRECT LETTER LAYOUT HOW TO
How to Write a Professional Letter to a Judge In this article, we will discuss how to write a formal letter to a judge, along with the proper format and a sample letter. Other reasons for writing include a request for an inmate’s early release or a recommendation for someone’s legal status. Family members and friends of the parents and child may feel obligated to share their experiences with the adult and why or why not they would make a fit parent. It will ask for a specific outcome from the judge, whether it is a reduced sentence or maximum sentence.Īnother reason someone might write a letter to a judge is regarding custody of a child.
CORRECT LETTER LAYOUT TRIAL
The letter will express how the person on trial has impacted others - positively or negatively.

Other times, these letters are written by victims (or their family members) to showcase how the defendant’s actions have been damaging to them. In many cases, family members or friends will write a letter to a judge before sentencing, to illustrate a defendant’s character. There are a few main reasons someone would need to write a letter to a judge.
