If you or someone you know is seeking expungement of a criminal record, a character letter can be a valuable tool in the process. A character letter is a written statement from someone who knows the individual seeking expungement that attests to their character and potential. This article will provide tips and examples for writing a character letter for expungement.
If you are writing a character letter for expungement, it is important to keep it brief and to the point. A good character letter should introduce the individual seeking expungement, explain the purpose of the letter, and provide a personal account of their character and potential.
A character letter for expungement is a powerful tool that can help an individual overcome the challenges of a criminal record. By providing a personal account of their character and potential, you can help the individual seeking expungement move forward with their life.
For examples and templates of character letters for expungement, please see the examples below.
Tips for Writing a Character Letter for Expungement
When writing a character letter for expungement, it is important to keep several things in mind:
Title
Start with a clear and concise title that indicates the purpose of the letter, such as “Character Letter for Expungement.”
Detailed Explanation
Begin your letter with a brief introduction that explains your relationship to the individual seeking expungement and your reason for writing the letter. The body of your letter should provide a detailed explanation of the individual’s character and potential.
Greeting
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
[Paragraph 1]
[Paragraph 2]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter Body
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am writing this letter in support of [Individual’s Name] and their request for expungement of their criminal record. I have had the pleasure of knowing [Individual’s Name] for [Number of Years] years, and during that time, I have come to know them as a person of exceptional character and potential.
[Paragraph 1 – Provide specific examples of the individual’s character and potential. This could include their work ethic, community involvement, educational achievements, personal growth, etc.]
[Paragraph 2 – Explain how expungement would benefit the individual and society as a whole. This could include their ability to secure gainful employment, pursue higher education, contribute to their community, etc.]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Complimentary Close
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
[Paragraph 1]
[Paragraph 2]
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Examples of Character Letters for Expungement
Example 1 – Letter from Employer
Dear Judge [Last Name],
I am writing this letter in support of [Individual’s Name] and their request for expungement of their criminal record. As [Individual’s Name]’s employer for the past [Number of Years] years, I have had the opportunity to get to know them both professionally and personally.
[Paragraph 1 – Provide specific examples of the individual’s character and potential as an employee. This could include their work ethic, reliability, communication skills, ability to work well with others, etc.]
[Paragraph 2 – Explain how expungement would benefit the individual and your company. This could include their ability to continue their employment with your company, take on more responsibilities, contribute to the company’s success, etc.]
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 2 – Letter from Teacher
Dear Judge [Last Name],
I am writing this letter in support of [Individual’s Name] and their request for expungement of their criminal record. As [Individual’s Name]’s teacher for the past [Number of Years] years, I have had the opportunity to witness their growth and development both academically and personally.
[Paragraph 1 – Provide specific examples of the individual’s character and potential as a student. This could include their academic achievements, participation in extracurricular activities, leadership skills, etc.]
[Paragraph 2 – Explain how expungement would benefit the individual and society as a whole. This could include their ability to pursue higher education, contribute to their community, etc.]
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 3 – Letter from Community Member
Dear Judge [Last Name],
I am writing this letter in support of [Individual’s Name] and their request for expungement of their criminal record. As a member of [Community Name], I have had the opportunity to get to know [Individual’s Name] both personally and through their contributions to our community.
[Paragraph 1 – Provide specific examples of the individual’s character and potential as a community member. This could include their volunteer work, involvement with local organizations, leadership skills, etc.]
[Paragraph 2 – Explain how expungement would benefit the individual and our community. This could include their ability to continue their community involvement, become a positive role model for others, etc.]
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 4 – Letter from Family Member
Dear Judge [Last Name],
I am writing this letter in support of my [Relation to Individual], [Individual’s Name], and their request for expungement of their criminal record. As [Individual’s Name]’s [Relation to Individual], I have had the opportunity to witness their growth and development both personally and as a member of our family.
[Paragraph 1 – Provide specific examples of the individual’s character and potential as a family member. This could include their love and support for their family, their role in caring for family members, etc.]
[Paragraph 2 – Explain how expungement would benefit the individual and our family. This could include their ability to move forward with their life, be a positive role model for family members, etc.]
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 5 – Letter from Mentor
Dear Judge [Last Name],
I am writing this letter in support of [Individual’s Name] and their request for expungement of their criminal record. As [Individual’s Name]’s mentor for the past [Number of Years] years, I have had the opportunity to guide and support them in their personal and professional development.
[Paragraph 1 – Provide specific examples of the individual’s character and potential as a mentee. This could include their willingness to learn, their dedication to personal growth, their potential for success, etc.]
[Paragraph 2 – Explain how expungement would benefit the individual and their future. This could include their ability to pursue their goals and dreams, become a positive role model for others, etc.]
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 6 – Letter from Religious Leader
Dear Judge [Last Name],
I am writing this letter in support of [Individual’s Name] and their request for expungement of their criminal record. As [Individual’s Name]’s [Religious Affiliation] leader, I have had the opportunity to get to know them both personally and through their involvement with our congregation.
[Paragraph 1 – Provide specific examples of the individual’s character and potential as a member of the congregation. This could include their dedication to their faith, their involvement in religious activities, their positive influence on other members, etc.]
[Paragraph 2 – Explain how expungement would benefit the individual and our congregation. This could include their ability to continue their involvement with our congregation, become a positive role model for others, etc.]
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can write a character letter for expungement?
A: Anyone who knows the individual seeking expungement well can write a character letter. This can include employers, teachers, mentors, family members, community members, and religious leaders.
Q: What should a character letter for expungement include?
A: A good character letter should introduce the individual seeking expungement, explain the purpose of the letter, and provide a personal account of their character and potential. It should also explain how expungement would benefit the individual and society as a whole.
Q: How long should a character letter for expungement be?
A: A character letter for expungement should be no more than two pages in length.
Q: Should a character letter for expungement be typed or handwritten?
A: A character letter for expungement should be typed and printed on professional letterhead if possible.
Q: How many character letters should an individual seeking expungement obtain?
A: It is recommended that an individual seeking expungement obtain at least three character letters from individuals who know them well.
Q: How should a character letter for expungement be submitted?
A: The character letter should be submitted in person or by mail to the appropriate court or agency handling the expungement request.
Conclusion
Writing a character letter for expungement can be a valuable tool in helping an individual overcome the challenges of a criminal record. By providing a personal account of their character and potential, you can help the individual seeking expungement move forward with their life. We hope that the tips and examples provided in this article will help you in writing an effective character letter for expungement.