GUIDELINES
- Begin by introducing yourself. Make sure that you include only pertinent details, such as your profession and how you know the person in question.
- Briefly discuss your observations about the person involved, with regard to his behavior and character.
- Thank the court for the opportunity to share your knowledge and leave the door open for further inquiries.
SAMPLE LETTER
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Letter Date]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-
Dear [Recipients Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Lara Lee. I am 40 years old, and I hold the position of Human Resources Director at XYZ Publishing, Inc. It is through this company that I met Mr. Mark Ryans. I have known him since he joined us three years ago.
During the period in which we worked together, with him as one of the staff members of the HR Department, I have known Mr. Ryans to be an honest and professional employee. He has always given clear and precise documentation of petty cash outlays and maintained an excellent professional reputation.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my knowledge regarding Mr. Ryans' character. Should you have any further questions about the specifics of his professional behavior, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Character reference for court use. Sample letter.
Further things to consider when writing reference letters to government officials
Reference Letters
Reference letters are letters written to endorse someone's general character and personality. A reference letter differs from a recommendation letter in that the latter supports the person's application for a specific job or education program and is usually addressed to a particular person. A reference letter is more general in nature, refers to the overall character of the person, and is not addressed to anyone in particular. It is normally addressed as "Dear sir/madam," or "To whom it may concern." The person who writes the reference letter is known as the referee, and he/she could be a close friend or colleague.
For you to write good reference letters, you need to know the candidates well to be able to express their best character. Start off with a salutation and the name of the person the letter is about. Write a sentence or two explaining how you know the person and for how long. Mention the strong qualities, characteristics, and strengths of the person in question. Giving brief examples, discuss why you feel the person will be a great addition to office and work culture. Use strong verbs but do not exaggerate. Conclude with your contacts and signature.
Letters to Government Officials
Letters to government officials are letters written to any person who works and acts in an official capacity for the government. The recipients of such letters could be congressmen, governors, or even the president. There are many reasons why you may want to write to a government official. Maybe some roads in your area need reconstruction and proper lighting. Perhaps there is a curfew in your town which has made it impossible for you to do night shifts. Whatever the reason, the letter must be formal, respectful, and well-worded.
When writing letters to government officials, you need to decide the official to whom you want to direct the letter. Start by introducing yourself and clearly stating the reason for your letter. Explain how the issue at hand affects you and other people in your group. Explain your personal stand on it and the reason for your position. Offer suggestions that you think can solve the problem. Emphasize important information by bolding or underlining. Try to keep the letter short, preferably one page. Wrap it up by thanking the recipient in advance for reading the letter and considering your thoughts. Type the letter or write it in clear, legible handwriting.
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