How Do You Write A Good Character Witness Statement?
Character witnesses are often called to testify in civil cases—most often in family court hearings like child custody—when a party’s personal ethics or values are at issue. They may also be used in criminal cases in sentencing or other dispositional hearings. Written statements are seldom admitted when the witness/author is able to appear to personally testify in court. However, even if you will testify in court, it’s wise to write a character witness statement in advance. Make a list of positive points regarding your subject’s character. Stick to generally recognized qualities like honesty and integrity. Then make a second list of qualities that might have an effect on the positives (like not doing something unless he thought he could get away with it or a tendency to minimize white lies). If your second list casts doubt on the first, you probably should not testify—the opposing counsel will draw out these statements in court. Write your character witness statement in the form o
