Character Reference for Court — $49
A few quick questions · $49 once · No card until the final step
Before you start: Character Reference for Court
Writing a character reference for court for a friend, relative or employee? Answer plain questions in your own words, most of them by completing a sentence, and get a letter to the court ready to sign. You read it and can change the wording before you download it.
- Answer plain questions about the person and what you have seenAbout 5 minutes, one question at a time. No legal knowledge and no card needed.
- See how your document is set out, then pay $49 onceBy card through Stripe. The full document is drafted in about 5 minutes.
- Read it and confirm itChange the wording yourself, as often as you like, then confirm it and download it to sign. Nothing is sent to anyone else.
You can stop at any point before paying, at no cost.
Private & 256-bit encrypted. We never sell your data, and the other party only ever sees your document after you approve it.
What's included
- Sets your answers out as a letter to the court, addressed the way the legal aid guides describe.
- Uses your own words: most questions ask you to complete a sentence, and your answer goes into the letter as you wrote it.
- Says that you know about the charge, and that you know the reference will be given to the court at sentencing.
- Asks for things you have seen yourself: work, family or caring roles, community involvement and steps taken since.
- Stops before payment if the person is pleading not guilty, or if the charge is a sexual offence.
- You read the letter, change the wording if you need to, confirm it and download it to sign. Nothing is sent to anyone else.
What to have ready
- The key dates, and any amounts involved
- Any documents, emails or messages. Tell us in the chat what you have; the document can refer to them.
Common questions
Who should the reference be addressed to?In a Local Court or Magistrates Court, "The Presiding Magistrate" and the court location, then "Your Honour". In the District, County or Supreme Court, "The Presiding Judge". In the Northern Territory, Legal Aid NT says "The Sentencing Judge". Sources: Legal Aid NSW, Victoria Legal Aid, Legal Aid NT.
Does it need to be a statutory declaration?The legal aid guides describe a signed and dated letter, and none of them asks for a statutory declaration. Sources: Legal Aid NSW, Victoria Legal Aid, Legal Aid WA.
Does the referee have to mention the charge?Yes. Every guide says the referee should state that they know about the charge. In Victoria, the Magistrates' Court also asks the referee to state that they know the reference will be relied on in court at the sentencing hearing. Every Claim Done reference includes both. Sources: Legal Aid NSW, Magistrates' Court of Victoria.
Finish now, or come back later
Your Character Reference for Court is nearly there