Character references
A character reference is a letter to the court about a person’s character.
The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (MCV) hears many cases on a daily basis that require a sentence to be imposed.
Often, as part of the plea process, a person who has pleaded guilty or been found guilty of an offence may wish to provide a character reference to the court.
How to present a character reference
A character reference should:
- be addressed to the presiding judicial officer
- be dated and include the full name and contact details of the referee (author)
- be signed by the referee.
What to include in a character reference
A character reference should include the following:
- how the referee knows the person they are writing the reference for and for how long they have known them
- a statement that the referee is aware of the charges before the court and the facts surrounding them
- a statement that the referee is aware that the character reference is to be relied upon in court at the sentencing hearing
- a character reference should not suggest or in any way address the question of what sentence is to be imposed by the court.
If you would like more information on what a character reference is and how to write one, you can visit Victoria Legal Aid.
