25/07/2025
Character references for court can help a judge or magistrate see another side of you and may help reduce your penalty.
Follow these simple steps:
A reference should be:
1. About one page long.
2. Typed or neatly written.
3. Addressed to "The Presiding.
Judge" or "Presiding Magistrate".
The person writing it should:
4. Have no criminal record.
5. Be someone with a good
reputation (e.g. family member,
employer, community leader).
6. Include their name, date, signature,
and relationship to you.
They should also:
7. Say how long they have known
you.
8. Show they understand the offence
you’ve been charged with.
9. Mention any criminal or driving
history you have.
10. Give their honest opinion of your.
character.
11. Say whether the offence was out
of character.
12. If the referree is your employer,
explain how losing your drivers
licence could affect your job.
I hope this helps.
