Organizing the Letters
Learn how to track, review, and coordinate character reference letters with counsel for a professional presentation.
Module Resources
Learning Objectives
Centralize
Collect all letters in one place
Track Progress
Use a spreadsheet to monitor status
Coordinate
Work with counsel on all submissions
Quality Focus
Prioritize quality over quantity
Key Concepts
Centralize Everything
- Collect all letters in one place (ideally your attorney's office)
- Avoid supporters sending letters directly to the Court
Track Progress
- Use a simple spreadsheet or checklist to track
- Who you've asked, when, status of draft
- Date submitted to attorney
Coordinate with Counsel
- Always send letters to your attorney first, never straight to the Court
- Counsel may edit formatting or decide whether certain letters help or hurt
Quality and Diversity
- A packet of 10 high-quality, diverse letters is more persuasive than 50 short, repetitive ones
- Show a range of perspectives (family, work, community, faith, service)
Deadline Discipline
- Set a personal deadline at least 3 weeks before sentencing
- This gives counsel time to review and integrate into the sentencing memorandum
Key Takeaways
- A well-run campaign shows the judge not only who you are, but also how seriously you've taken the process
- Disorganized or late letters weaken your presentation; organized, diverse, and timely submissions strengthen your credibility and make your attorney's job easier
Steps to Build an Organized System
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