This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In recent years it has been more common to have a psychiatrist oversee the children around the parent and to have them write a formal recommendation to the court. volunteer work, memberships, etc. The statement must mention and clearly label the supporting evidence. Make sure they understand that the letter will be used as evidence in your case and become part of the official court record. Your Free Online Legal Dictionary Featuring Blacks Law Dictionary, 2nd Ed. This firm does not accept service by email. Depending on what you say, the attorney may ask you for supporting documents or other evidence to corroborate your statement. You might also ask your child's teacher or caregiver if they know you well and have personal knowledge of your parenting. Perhaps appearing in person would expose you to unnecessary danger, or maybe the distance you would have to travel is insurmountable. Generally, writing out the name of the Month then entering the numerical Calendar Date and Year is standard. Let the judge know that you are aware of the charges against the defendant. Skip two lines after your Name and Address then, enter the current date. Therefore, make sure that it appears professional and its contents are what you believe to be true. Remember that writing a character reference makes you a witness in the case, so take your role and the letter seriously. If your observations are not relevant to anything at issue in the case, they won't be admissible. This is typically written as the name of the claimant or plaintiff, identified as such, followed by the word "and," then the name of the defendant, identified as the defendant. Supporting facts and examples (23 paragraphs): Give more details about how you know the parent, your assessment of their character and their relationship with their child. Your statement will need a title. <> Being dishonest damages your reputation and does not help the defendant. A character reference letter gives the judge insight into the case by offering a third party's perspective on the parent's relationship with the child. (Date) To the Sentencing Judge, Your Honor, I have known (name) for (years) as (state relationship), and we have shared a close friendship through the years. A witness statement may also come in the form of a recorded statement, with the witness testifying to its accuracy on the recording. As you prepare to write, brainstorm what you know about the parent and make a list of information and examples you want to include. If there is other supporting information that portrays the defendant in a positive way, you should include this in another paragraph. If there are any questions regarding this content and its length, you may wish to consult the Parent/Guardian or his or her Attorney. Website by DogFish Design. 4 attorney answers. Its important to be specific and point out how incarceration will affect the defendants family, employment and future life. Here you will outline the evidence to support the application in court. Do not write about events that you did not directly see, hear or otherwise perceive yourself. You may be indisposed because of illness or injury. will put it in "affidavit form"). Indicate who you are writing this letter for, how you know the individual you are recommending, and how long you have known this individual. 2023 Electronic Forms LLC. Since the letter is going to be reviewed by a judge, the format and tone of the statement must be professional. Get up to $3,345 per month. An attorney might write have a statement written up and then ask the witness to sign it. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Thailand. First, you will need to Identify yourself. Child Custody If you are in the midst of a custody battle or a general family hearing it would be advised to elect someone who has seen you with your children. Again, be truthful: Conclude by saying how the defendants incarceration will negatively affect their present, their future, their job, and their life. You would answer those questions in first person rather than third person, so it is appropriate to do the same in your written witness statement. Doing so shows that you are serious about helping the defendant and that you mean what you say. This is typically written as the name of the claimant or plaintiff, identified as such, followed by the word "and," then the name of the defendant, identified as the defendant. Emphasize such traits as consistency, reliability and willingness to follow directions. Without a statement, all the judge knows about the defendant is the crime committed and how the defendant acts in court. London Solicitors Office29 Farm StreetMayfairLondonW1J 5RL, Brighton Solicitors Office39 Church RoadHoveEast SussexBN3 2BE. Carefully present your statement examples in pdf. A witness statement is a brief summary of a witness's testimony. By clicking Yes, I Accept, you're giving us consent to store your cookies. Create a high quality document online now! Man writing on paper; image by Helloquence, via Unsplash.com. In this example, we shall assume a somewhat informal Subject line. It can turn a devoted husband or wife into a spouse who's moody and distant, or even . 3. % of people told us that this article helped them. Dont worry. Under that, type your name, address, telephone number, and email address. Instead of testifying in court, you would be writing down your testimony and signing it. If you need support with writing your statement, please contact one of our solicitors on 020 3007 5500. It will also be important to declare your belief. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The case caption contains the basic information surrounding the case, including the case number, the names of involved parties, the state and county, and the name of the courthouse. The proper form of address for a judge is "To the honorable Judge," followed by their last name. Report the subject two lines below the date. Ideally, parents should work together to create their parenting plan, parenting time schedule and child support agreement. Under circumstances such as these, the court may allow you to submit your testimony in the form of a written statement. The letter should be a simple 1-page document stating your experience with the recommended individual as well as why you feel the need to provide this reference. Be objective. Any detail you can provide, no matter how inconsequential it may seem to you, may end up being significant. Writing A Good Character Witness Statement. Your character reference letter writer is a witness on your behalf they should know you well, have first-hand knowledge of your relationship with your child and support your custody requests. He has written for various publications, including the alt-weekly "Creative Loafing" in Florida as well as Manhattan's "New York Press" and "Blackbook Magazine." 1 0 obj If you see or know something about a crime, or are involved in the events in some way, the police may ask you to give a witness statement. All legal statements are intended to be factual and directly to the point. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Skip two lines after your Name and Address then, enter the current date. It does not store any personal data. If this letter is written for a Defendant who is awaiting sentencing, this will be especially important. It can turn a productive worker into a problem employee. I did the best I could, and the insurance company ended up ruling it the other driver's fault (yeah, running a red light will do that), so I came out all right, but it was so hard to sit there on the curb with a pen, a form and a clipboard and try to put in words why my front end was crunched. A good character witness statement should be written professionally as it will be reviewed by a judge. In criminal cases, this is generally not allowed, as procedure dictates that witnesses . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Be sure to choose someone who has known you for several years and who is credible in the eyes of the court. Nothing was computing very well. The character witness letter is often used in child custody cases, drunk driving occurrences, or severe criminal cases where it is . Best Way to Write a Good Character Witness Statement. 1. When selecting an individual who will write a character reference, it is important to select someone that has known you for a long period of time and also someone that the court will respect. Leave enough space beneath the above statement for your signature and date. I'm writing this character witness letter for Miss Ashley Peterson who has been my office colleague for more than 3 years now. Copyright 2022 Britton & Time Solicitors. Required fields are marked *. To discuss your legal matter with a solicitor we offer an initial consultation where youll receive: To arrange your initial consultation with one of our solicitors, simply call us on 020 3007 5500. There are several different methods of preparing a witness statement. At the end of your statement, verify it by writing, "I believe the facts stated in this letter are true to the best of my knowledge.". Introduction (1 paragraph): State the name of the parent on whose behalf you're writing, explain how you know them and for how long. The letters are typically optional, but one can go a long way in helping the judge understand you and your parenting. The relevant details include your: The body of the witness statement is the crucial stage. @Grivusangel -- "Dippety Doo." Explain how the defendant has learned from their mistake, what steps they have taken to change, and that you believe they will not make the same mistake again. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 117,021 times. The court may use the witness evidence to support a partys case. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Name? The character witness letter is an important letter that has a significant impact on someone's career, lifestyle, and even freedom. By Elizabeth Dickey Free evaluation for disability benefits. Otherwise, some basic rules will be helpful, such as naming the case and adding the case number on the first page. The last paragraph should recapture your first statement and include your desire for this letter to be taken seriously.Finally, use a standard closing (i.e. Contempt of court is punishable by up to two years imprisonment and a fine. Again, you will need to consult the Defendant or his or her Attorney. You should make sure to include observations you have made that suggest the hopeful Parent/Guardian will be a positive factor in the Minor or Childs life. If the DUI Defendant has mentioned seeking help for a substance abuse problem, make sure to state this intent. If you're a parent pursing child custody, it's important you understand who you should ask to write a letter and how it can impact your case. It should begin with the date and include the name of the judge and title. Has the defendant given up work or education to take care of a sick relative? Cloudflare Ray ID: 7c092902ef483a60 If you've been asked to write to the judge, use our sample character reference letter and fill-in-the-blank template. If you introduce extraneous matters, you're wasting the court's time. Make sure to also state your belief in the DUI Defendants ability to move past this event. Place your Full Name on the first line, your Street Address on the second line, and your City/State/Zip Code on the third line Skip two lines then enter the current Date. To be as helpful as possible, you must include the movements of each vehicle. Character Witness Letter: Your colleagues, friends, and other acquaintances are people who know you well and can describe you as a person and a professional. When preparing a witness statement it is helpful to follow certain guidelines. You also need to include the location and date that you sign it for purposes of later verification. Occasionally, the unedited witness statements are the best part about a case. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Keep in mind that some courts or judges prefer confidential letters with the writer's signature across the envelope seal (proving that it hasn't been opened). However, unlike a declaration letter, a character reference letter is written by someone who knows the parent (instead of the parent themself). Stay away from vague statements such as "Dad is an actively involved parent." Your email address will not be published. Therefore, if youre concerned about making mistakes, dont hesitate to contact a solicitor for assistance or draft the statement on your behalf. The conclusion should state the basic idea underlying the introduction and the body of this letter. Reproduce conversations in the first person, using direct quotation, to the best of your ability. The statement of truth is vitally important to the statement. The introduction should state who you are, how long youve known the individual, and why you feel the need to make this recommendation to the court. For instance, after stating why you are writing this letter, state what you believe should happen to the Defendant. The letter is commonly provided in child custody and/or drunk driving (DUI) occurrences but may be used in any situation needed where the court should hear about the personality and reputation of the Defendant in order to have the case drawn in their favor. When this task is done, make a statement of declaration to recommend this individual to have custody of the concerned Minor or Child.The next paragraph will be the heart of the letter you are composing. Let the judge know how the defendant plans to make changes in their life and that you believe that they have learned a valuable lesson. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in journalism. Date- /xx/XXXX. endobj If you are being asked to write this to help show someones innocence then you should clearly state this. I was involved in a wreck and had to write down everything that happened. Heading and salutation: Use business-letter formatting and include information required by the court, such as the case number. We are unapologetic in our dedication to informing the public and unafraid to call out those who are more focused on profits than peoples safety. Conclusion (1 paragraph): Clearly restate your support of the parent's custody requests. You know that custody is being contested. Make sure to mention that you believe in this individuals ability to reform as well as abide by the courts ruling. Tell us a bit about your matter, and we will get back to you the same day. References. You may also need a character reference letter if you have issues that can cause a parent to lose custody, such as a DUI conviction or criminal record. Begin the first paragraph with your name and profession. That's hilarious. Try your best to remain balanced. You may use traditional, formal court language if you prefer, which is "Comes now [your name], a nonparty, and states as follows:" followed by numbered statements. Sometimes simply called a character letter, this letter is official legal testimony used as evidence in some child custody cases. The Law Dictionary is not a law firm, and this page does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. A witness statement is best described as a summary of the evidence to be given by a particular witness.