Character References for Court in Queensland
How to Prepare Strong Character References for Sentencing
If you are being sentenced for a criminal or traffic offence in Queensland, character references can play an important role in your outcome.
Under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld), the court must consider a person’s character when determining an appropriate sentence.
Well-prepared character references can help demonstrate:
good character
remorse
rehabilitation
community support
reduced risk of reoffending
Do Character References make a difference in court?
Yes — when prepared properly, character references can assist the court in understanding:
who you are as a person
your role in the community
how the offence has impacted you
whether you are likely to reoffend
While they do not excuse the offence, they can help support a more favourable sentencing outcome.
Who should write a character reference?
The best references come from people who:
know you well
can speak honestly about your character
are aware of your charges
Suitable referees include:
employers or work colleagues
teachers or coaches
family friends
community or religious leaders
neighbours
sporting club members
Where possible, referees with strong community standing (e.g. employers or professionals) may carry more weight.
What should a character reference include?
Each reference should be:
addressed to “The Presiding Magistrate” or “The Presiding Judge”
dated and signed
written clearly and respectfully
no longer than 1–2 pages
It should include:
the referee’s full name, address, and occupation
how they know you and for how long
confirmation they are aware of your charges
their opinion of your character
any changes they have observed in you since the offence
your remorse and attitude towards the matter (if discussed)
What makes a strong character reference?
A strong court character reference is:
honest and specific
based on personal knowledge
aware of the actual charges
written in plain, sincere language
The court gives more weight to references that show:
genuine insight into your character
an understanding of the offence
realistic opinions about rehabilitation and future behaviour
Common mistakes to avoid
Character references should NOT:
be vague (e.g. “they are a good person”)
be generic or copied from templates
ignore the charges
include incorrect information
exaggerate or provide unsupported claims
The court will give little or no weight to unreliable or inaccurate references.
How to provide character references to the court
You should:
give original signed copies to your lawyer
or file them directly with the court if self-represented
Keep copies for your own records.
In most cases, referees do not need to attend court.
Confidentiality of character references
Character references become part of the court file once submitted.
They are generally read by:
your lawyer
the prosecutor
the magistrate or judge
They may also become part of the public record.
Can I use a template?
Yes — but templates should be used as a guide only.
The most effective references are:
personalised
written in the referee’s own words
specific to your situation
Get help preparing character references
Well-prepared character references can make a meaningful difference to your sentencing outcome.
If you need assistance or would like example templates, legal guidance, or advice on who should provide references, we can help.
📞 1300 544 444
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