character references

[mumpleasehelpme]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone knows if parents, and other relatives can be character references for the accused?

[Rights Fighter]

Yes they can - but always better from non-family members. Crown would say "well they would stick up for one of their own, wouldn't they!"

Better to find upstanding pillars of society, MP, GP, employer........ etc

[mumpleasehelpme]

Thanks right fighter, my son has some good character references, his work, other girls who know him and have slept with him who have said he is the gentlest, kindest boy they know. All his mates too, know him well and for years and know this would be totally out of character for him. Would it be best to get a list ready of all the character references so the solicitor can choose the most appropriate ones? Also should my son wait for the solicitor to say what to get the character witnesses to write? Is more references better? Also he left school about 4 years ago, he has really good school reports how his character is, can these be used, or/and would it be good to get teachers from this school to give a character reference too.

[Rights Fighter]

Hon he needs to do all this for the solicitor. Sols get paid by the case now not by the hour, so the more you can do to help, the better.

The best character witnesses are those who have known him for a long time, have seen him frequently, so know him well. Also those in good jobs for a long period of time (stability adds to credibility). Young ladies who have been out with him are good but don't have a parade as it will make him look a bit of a player!

Ask those who will help, to write their own statements.

This should include on the first page their full names and contact details.

The 2nd page should start along the lines of:

My name is........ and I write this statement in support of the defendant (named)

I can confirm that I am X years of age, and have known Mr X for Y years. I live at the address given overleaf. (That suggests that you don't want addresses read out in court)

They then write in SHORT PARAGRAPHS how they know the def, how often they would meet, their experiences of them with members of the opposite sex if appropriate.

One guy who wrote a character ref in a trial I attended a couple of years back, wrote of the defendant's honesty. He was taking on quotes for industrial cleaning for his place of work and although the def was more expensive than most, he took him on as he was struck by his honesty. That went a long way - I could see the jury writing that down.

People who just write 'he's a lovely boy and would never do such a thing' means nothing, it's only opinion. But facts as to his honesty, helpfulness in the community etc can help.

[mumpleasehelpme]

Thank you so much rights fighter. I have passed this information on for my son. Thank you.