Reference Letter for a Friend (Free Samples)
Use these sample reference letters for a friend as templates for your formal reference letter.
Last updated on September 19th, 2021
Sample 1 - Reference Letter for a Friend for a Job
Author’s Name
Author’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Email: [email protected]
DATE
RE: Character Reference for [Name of Friend]
To Whom It May Concern,
I have known [Name of Friend] for 15 years. We worked together for six years at [Name of Company] before he left to return to school to earn a master's degree in business. We also became friends outside of work on a casual level.
During the time I have known [Name of Friend], he has been honest and trustworthy. He is always willing to go above and beyond what is expected of him. He is respectful of his superiors and gets along well with his co-workers.
I recall several occasions when [Name of Friend] would stay late to complete a project that had a deadline. During the time we worked together, he was often given additional responsibilities and assumed a leadership role while encouraging others on his team.
If any additional information is required concerning my association with [Name of Friend], please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Signature of Author
Printed name of Author
Sample 2 - Reference Letter for a Friend for Court
When a person is facing a court appearance, they want all the help they can get. Their lawyer will usually request certain people who know the defendant well to write a character reference letter that will help their client’s case.
The most common reasons for character references in court are to mitigate sentencing for a crime and for gaining child custody. In some cases, a lawyer may request a negative character reference in order to increase the defendant’s sentence or to block the possibility of one parent gaining child custody.
When writing a character letter for court, the author must remember that the letter is addressed to the presiding officer of the court, and whatever is said must be true.
The author must be ready to depose before the court as a character witness. It is always a good idea for the author of the letter to consult with the defendant’s lawyer about the content of the letter.
While it shouldn’t have legal jargon, it should cover the relevant points. The lawyer can give the author the relevant points about the case, so they don’t claim the defendant didn’t do the crime if he or she has already pleaded guilty.
For court purposes, character references are usually the most successful for first offences or if the defendant is not guilty. The letter need not be written by a very important person in society, but can be written by a friend, wife, colleague, neighbor or a child. The important aspect of the letter is to provide positive information so that the defendant is not only judged on the basis of his or her crime.
Some of the details that need to be included in the letter are:
• The author’s name
• The author’s relationship with the defendant
• The length of time the author has known the defendant
• The author’s knowledge of the defendant’s character
• Some positive attributes of the defendant’s character
Sample 3 - Reference Letter for a Friend for Court
Official Letterhead If Possible
Author’s Name
Author’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Email: [email protected]
DATE
The Honorable Judge FIRST NAME LAST NAME
Address of Judge
City, State, Zip Code
Note: Presiding Judge or Magistrate’s Name given by the defendant’s lawyer
RE: Character Reference for [Name of Friend]
Your Honor,
The aim of this letter is to present the good character of [Name of Friend]. We have worked together for the past 5 years as nurses in the [Name of Hospital].
I can confirm that she is careful, considerate, efficient and dedicated to the well-being of others. She has received several honors for her dedication to her work including Nurse of the Year for three consecutive years.
She is well-regarded among all the staff at the hospital as a person of high integrity and honesty. We have been together in several emergency situations, and she has always conducted herself with common sense and compassion.
I am aware that she has pleaded guilty to DUI. However, I wish to express that she is not a habitual drinker, and this unfortunate situation was most probably one-of-a-kind. She has expressed to me many times that she is extremely sensitive to her transgression and is sorry for it.
I hope this letter will give you an idea of her good character and help her get a second chance to prove this was an unusual occurrence.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Sincerely,
Signature of Author
Printed name of Author
Sample 4 - Reference Letter for a Friend for Adoption
Author’s Name
Author’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Email: [email protected]
DATE
The Honorable Judge FIRST NAME LAST NAME
Address of Judge
City, State, Zip Code
RE: Character Reference for [Name of Friend]
To Whom It May Concern,
An adoption is a serious and person commitment that will extend for the rest of a child’s life. As a friend and co-worker of [Name of Friend], I can think of no better person to be a mom.
[Name of Friend] has always been very nurturing, even as a child. Her dollies were the best dressed and cutest on the block. I always knew that one day she would make the greatest mother and having the chance to fulfill her dreams with make both her and her husband whole.
Nurturing comes very naturally to [Name of Friend], as she cares and respects all life. While she tends to be more of a coddler, her husband Jeff is the perfect balance to her.
He tends to have a firm handle on discipline and to know how to handle even the most difficult child. He has been over the bus ministry at our local church for the past 10 years.
He has controlled children from all walks of life and though he has a stern exterior, I have often seen him throw his arms around them and hug them too. Together I think they would make the perfect parents for any child.
To conclude, if you are considering them for adoption, you should have no worries. They are upstanding citizens both in our community and in our inner circle. If you have any further questions, please feel free to call me at 555-980-4567. I can also be reached by email at [email protected]
Sincerely,
Author’s Name
Sample 5 - Reference Letter for a Friend for Expungement
[Name of Person Writing Letter]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date of Letter]
The Honorable [First, Last Name]
Judge of [Circuit, District or other Court Name]
[Address of Judge]
RE: [Name of Defendant] – Expungement of Misdemeanor Larceny Charge
My name is _______________. I am over the age of 18 years old. I am not related by birth or marriage to the petitioner.
I have known the petitioner since __________ The petitioner attends [church or synagogue or mosque] at ____________. He volunteers at the local soup kitchen twice a week and has done so for three months. During the little league baseball season, the petitioner helped me coach the team. The parents and I have appreciated his work. I also see the petitioner help people in need.
I have not seen the petitioner use illicit drugs, become intoxicated, or engage in dangerous or improper behavior. To my knowledge, the petitioner has not engaged in criminal activity.
I am familiar with his general behavior, character and reputation. The petitioner exhibits and otherwise is of good behavior and character in the community. He has a good reputation in the community. I do not consider him to be a threat to the community in which the petitioner.
I offer this letter in support of the petition to expunge the petitioner’s conviction for ________________.
Respectfully Submitted,
[Signature of Person Writing Letter]
[Name of Person Writing Letter]
By Andre Bradley
Related Articles