Example of a character reference [Date] ‘The Presiding Magistrate Melbourne Magistrates’ Court Your Honour, [Who you are] My name is Margaret Nunn of 1 Young Crescent, Collingwood. | am currently employed as an English teacher at Elwood Secondary College, [Your relationship to the person charged] | have known Allyson Smith of 123 Green Street, North Melbourne for the past six years. | used to work at the Blue Boat Café as a ‘casual waiter while | was studying at university and | met Allyson Smith while working there. We were employed there at the same time as casual waiters and we often had shifts together. We worked together for two years. Allyson and I remained close friends after we finished working together at the café and we have continued to catch up with each other about once a month. During the time we worked together, I found Allyson to be extremely hard-working, reliable and honest in all my dealings with her. [Your knowledge of the person’s charges] | understand that Allyson Smith has to go to court about a theft charge. She is very upset about the charge and I believe she is sorry for what she has done. [Your knowledge of the person's life] ‘Allyson has been under a lt of stress due to her mother’s dificult battle with cancer. Even though Allyson has been charged with theft, would continue to trust her with my money and belongings. [Your opinion of the person’s character] | can say that in all ofthe time | have known her, Allyson has been a decent, hard-working person. Based on my personal dealings with Allyson, | believe that any behaviour she displayed that caused her to be charged with theft was a one-off event, | am happy to discuss this reference and can be contacted on XXXX XXX XXX, Yours faithfully, [Signature] s Margaret Nunn (©2018 Victoria Legal Ald. Reproduction witout express witten permission sprites. Permission may be granted to communty organisations to reproduce, ree ot ‘any charge, part alo tis pubicain. Witten requests should be dected tothe Community Legal Eaucation Manager, Vitoria Legal Ald