it should be short and to the point. I don't want to burst your bubble but very few judges will take the time to read any letters... Sorry! but that's what happened in my case. I think the number of letters mattered more than the continent of any one letter. You could get lucky though and have a judge who really cares....

That's what I was thinking. We had quite a few people willing to write letters but almost half backed out. Makes you realize who your true friends are. :(

honestly i'm of 2 minds about it. the PD that my daughter had wanted a letter to the judge from me. he 'did' not want any letters from anyone else. i do know that the judge did read it as he spoke of a couple of things that i had written in the letter.

but.... she was sentenced and will do 10 1/2yrs in prison and 15yrs probation. so did it help her? damned if i know. but to my way of thinking, no it didn't....... it if it did? it sure the hell didn't help much.

When my son was going to court many people wanted to write letters to the judge but the lawyer told us the judge would not even read them. When it was time for my son (recommended by the counselor) to be around the children in the family everyone wrote letters to say they missed him and had no problems with him being around the children but the judge denied it (different judge and was a bee acth) - my answer would be it cannot hurt and could only help if the judge is receptive to it

Letters to hubby's judge didn't do a darn thing...but never hits to try. Do a google search on the format of writing a letter. There are specific things you need to keep in mind when writing a judge.

1) Keep it short.

2) Don't dare minimize his actions. Don't mention that the system is not "fair."

3) Make sure he is taking full responsibility for the crime. I would not specifically mention the crime by name, but you can refer to the "incident."

4) Don't ask for a particular punishment. Instead, ask for mercy from the court.

5) Cite his good points but don't go overboard. Maybe cite a specific incident where he was especially kind or generous.

6) Mention his value to his family and community.

7) Write this from the heart.

Good luck,

rewdiazepam

I agree it couldn't hurt -- but in my son's case, it didn't seem to help at all. The WOMAN judge only spoke about my son's ex-wife's letter and the report from the psych-eval.

Thanks for all the advice. We have a total of 5 letters. Mine, my husband's, two of my childhood friends, and a church friend. My dad started counciling. The court date is Dec 17th. This Christmas is going to suck. :(