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Office Number: (03) 9077 4834 | After Hours Number: 0434 701 484
Office Number: (03) 9077 4834
After Hours Number: 0434 701 484

Guide to writing character references

A character reference should aim to provide the court with a greater insight into the defendant’s personal circumstances, and to address the defendant’s attributes.

This helps the court to gain an impression of the offender and also address the question of who the defendant is in the context of the offending. Character references are a valuable tool in a helping a client achieve the best possible result.

Emma Turnbull Lawyers is a specialist defence firm with experienced lawyers who can provide expert guidance to assist you with this process.

Personal Character References

  1. The character reference should be addressed to “the Presiding Magistrate” (for Magistrates’ Court matters) or “the Presiding Judge” (for County Court matters);
  2. It MUST be dated;
  3. It MUST state that the person knows you, what relationship they have with you, and for how long they have known you;
  4. It MUST state that the person knows of your current legal predicament;
  5. It should contain a paragraph detailing their opinion of you and whether or not the offences for which you are facing at Court are “out of character” or not.
  6. It can contain a paragraph expressing their personal opinion as to whether you have learnt from your mistakes (only if you are pleading guilty to the charge/s).
  7. It MUST be signed.

Employment Character References

  1. It must be on the business/company letter head;
  2. The character reference should be addressed to “the Presiding Magistrate” (for Magistrates’ Court matters) or “the Presiding Judge” (for County Court matters);
  3. It MUST be dated;
  4. It MUST state who they are and what position they hold in the business/company;
  5. It MUST state that the person knows you, that you are employed with their business, for how long you have been employed with them and your employment position and status (i.e. full time, part time or casual).
  6. It MUST state that the person knows of your current legal predicament;
  7. It should contain a paragraph detailing their opinion of you and whether or not the offences for which you are facing at Court are “out of character” or not and whether the employer will continue your employment notwithstanding your current legal predicament;
  8. It can contain a paragraph expressing their personal opinion as to whether you have learnt from your mistakes (only if you are pleading guilty to the charge/s).
  9. It MUST be signed.

MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHARACTER REFERENCES ARE LEGIBLE AND THAT YOU PROVIDE THEM TO YOUR LAWYER BEFORE THE PLEA DATE. IT IS PREFERABLE THAT THE REFERENCE IS TYPED.

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