Preparing for Sentencing: Letter Writing Guide for Family and Friends
This resource is adapted fromPreparing for Sentencing: A Practical Guide for Defendants and Families.
When someone you love is facing sentencing, it can be hard to know what to say, or how to say it. This guide walks you through writing a letter that is helpful to the court, giving you the tools to support your loved one in what might feel like the only way possible.
A strong support letter:
Acknowledges the offense without minimizing it
Speaks to the person’s character in specific ways
Describes observed growth
Explains what support will look like after sentencing
Is concise and sincere
Avoid:
Attacking the victim
Blaming the system or law enforcement
Blaming others involved
Denying guilt or culpability
Overly emotional pleas
Typos
Judges read hundreds of letters. Yours will stand out if you are specific in your observations. “He is kind” is vague. “He has been attending therapy weekly for six months and calls me after each session to process what he’s learning” is concrete. Here are some other examples:
EXAMPLE 1
Vague:
“He’s a hard worker.”
Concrete:
“He worked two jobs for fifteen years to support our family. He would leave the house before any of us were awake and wouldn’t get home until late, but he’d always make time for us on the weekend. On Sundays, we’d go to church and afterward, he’d grill a big meal for our family. If any of our neighbors or congregation were going through hard times, he’d always invite them over to eat with us.”
EXAMPLE 2
Vague
“He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
Concrete
“When he and his wife separated, he told me that he just wanted her to be happy, even if it was with someone else.”
EXAMPLE 3
Vague
“She’s a good mother.”
Concrete
“When her son wanted to join the soccer team, she supported him every way she could. As a single mother, she had to pick up extra shifts to pay for the team fees and childcare for her younger son. She also attended every game she could. Playing soccer kept him out of trouble in high school and he’s now the first person in his family to go to college.”
EXAMPLE 4
Vague
“I know he wants to put his life back together.”
Concrete
“He completed an inpatient rehab program and has been sober from drugs and alcohol since his arrest. I’ve been sober for 30 years and we talk often about what long-term sobriety looks like. He’s been learning how to identify triggers and have support systems in place to avoid relapse.”
Other Considerations:
Correct spelling and grammar are important. Judges are much more likely to read letters that are thoughtful, coherent, and articulate. Make sure to send the letters to the attorney or mitigation specialist well before the sentencing hearing so they have time to read through them. They may contact you for clarification and permission to edit for spelling and grammar. It’s important that you work with them on this, and trust their advice.
If English is not your first language and you don’t have anyone who can help translate, ask the attorney if there are resources to translate the letter into English. Many judges are bi-lingual or multi-lingual, but it should be assumed that the letter needs to be translated unless otherwise advised. Additionally – if you are planning to speak as a defendant or family member and need a court translator, talk to the attorney about this as soon as possible. Resources like that are available but often take time to secure scheduling.
