Good Character References for Court in Queensland
Criminal Procedure — 2026-07-13 — by Sacha Sarah Smith, Civic Law
Character references can change the outcome at sentencing — but only if they say the right things. Who to ask, what to include, what to avoid, and how they are used in court.
Someone — your lawyer, a friend, a family member — has told you to get character references for court. They matter. But most people get them wrong. They hand over vague letters full of praise that the Magistrate sets aside after the first paragraph.
A good character reference does something specific: it gives the court evidence that the offence does not reflect who you are. It shows the Magistrate or Judge that someone who knows you well — and knows about the charge — is prepared to put their name to a statement about your conduct. When that evidence is placed alongside the <a href="/sentencing-explained">case your lawyer presents to the court</a>, it directly affects the outcome.
Below is what makes a character reference useful in a Queensland court, who you should ask, what they should write, and the mistakes that make references worthless.
Why Character References Matter at Sentencing
When a court sentences you, it does not just look at the offence. Under section 9 of the <em>Penalties and Sentences Act 1992</em> (Qld), the court considers your character, your age, your criminal history, whether you have shown remorse, and the circumstances of the offence. Character is a statutory factor — the court is required to take it into account.
Character references are the main way that evidence of your character reaches the court. The Magistrate or Judge has not met you. They know what the police say happened, they know your criminal history, and they know what your lawyer tells them. A reference from someone who actually knows you — your employer, a colleague, a family friend — fills in the picture that the court cannot see from the charge sheet alone.
References are particularly important in <a href="/criminal-records-explained-queensland">no-conviction applications</a>. Under section 12 of the <em>Penalties and Sentences Act</em>, the court can find you guilty but choose not to record a conviction. One of the factors it weighs is your character. Strong references that show the offence was out of character — combined with a clean history and evidence that a conviction would cause disproportionate harm to your livelihood — can be the…
Who Should Write One
The best references come from people who know you well and can speak to your recent behaviour — not just your general reputation. The court values substance over status. A detailed reference from your direct supervisor carries more weight than a one-paragraph letter from someone prominent who barely knows you.
<strong>Your employer or direct manager.</strong> An employment reference is one of the most useful. It tells the court that someone who sees your work every day considers you reliable, honest, and valuable. It also gives the court a reason to consider the impact of a conviction or custodial sentence on your employment — and on anyone who depends on your income.
<strong>A colleague or professional contact.</strong> Someone who works alongside you and can speak to your day-to-day conduct. Particularly useful if they can describe specific examples of your professionalism, reliability, or how you handle pressure.
<strong>A community member or volunteer coordinator.</strong> If you are involved in a sporting club, church, charity, school P&C, or any community organisation, a reference from someone in that group shows the court you are embedded in your community — not someone on the margins of it.
<strong>A family friend or long-standing acquaintance.</strong> Someone who has known you for years and can speak to your character over time. A family friend who has watched you grow up, raise your children, or rebuild after a difficult period can provide context the court would not otherwise have.
<strong>A professional — counsellor, GP, or mentor.</strong> If you have been attending counselling, a drug or alcohol program, or treatment for a mental health condition, a letter from your treating professional confirming your engagement is one of the strongest things a reference can offer the court. It shows the court you have taken steps to address the underlying issue, not just turned up because you have a court date.
Immediate family members — your partner, parents, siblings — can provide references, but they carry less weight because the court expects them to support you. They are still worth including if they can speak to specific changes in your behaviour or the impact the charge has had on your family. A reference from your partner explaining how the charge has affected your children, for example, is directly relevant to sentencing.