How can I help someone who is on trial? 44 Answers as of November 04, 2011

Stay out of it completely. You don't want to be accused of trying to obstruct justice.

A judge should not read such a letter at this juncture in the proceeding. I think showing up at the courtroom is seen as a very visible and important show of support to a trier of fact.

If a person is charged with a crime they should retain a very experienced criminal attorney in that city to represent them. If they cannot afford an attorney the court will appoint one, but they may not be a skilled or experienced lawyer. If a person is convicted of a serious crime their lawyer may submit letters on their behalf to show the judge that they are a good person who has many friends and family members who are asking for leniency. This cannot hurt, but for criminals who have committed a violent or serious offense where a victim was injured or if they are a repeat offender, the judge will not be too impressed with letters or pleas for leniency.

Talk to that person's attorney and they will tell you what help they need.

You can send letters to the judge.

Emotional support for the defendant may be nice or helpful, if the defendant wants it. Trials may be very stressful for all the parties involves. I would not recommend sending any letters to a judge unless you consult with the defendant's attorney first. Generally, any letters to the judge will need to be disclosed to all the parties and may cause more harm than good. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the defendant's attorney.

Letters to the Court would probably notbe helpful during trial, in general, and could be a very, very bad idea. A character reference letter or affidavit might, on the other hand, be excellent to serve and file for a sentencing hearing, should the defendant be convicted. You should run your ideasthrough the person's Trial Attorney and ask that person how you might help. You did not provide much information. Are you a potential witness? Did you happen to overhear the victim talking in the hallway outside the Courtroom and make an admission, or say that he or she lied? I encourage you not to act unilaterally, and to inquire of Trial Counsel. You do not want to torpedo the efforts of the Attorney-of-Record.

Talk to the attorney representing the defendant; sometimes they can use you as a character witness.

If the person has an attorney, I would contact the atto0rney. That is the best bet. A judge will only consider a letter from you AFTER the trial s over and in the event that the defendant is convicted. The letter will then be considered for sentencing purposes as a possible mitigation of the sentence.

If they are already on trial there is little you can do except to go and attend it to show your support. If they are convicted, approach the attorney and offer to help with the sentencing. The attorney will inform you how you can help.

The attorney representing the person on trial is best suited to determine what is needed from outside sources and people that may help with the trial. If the case already has a jury assigned to it, then there's little you can do unless you either: 1) know firsthand any information that is pertinent to the case (i.e., if you were a witness. Things you heard from people would not be allowed) or: 2) area a good character witness if the other side attacks the character of the person you know is on trial and therefore opens the door for you to speak in favor of this person's character. If the jury does not find in favor of the person on trial, then the case goes into a separate stage, which is sentencing. At this point, anything you can say on behalf of the person is helpful, as it potentially allow leniency. It is best to contact the attorney representing the person you know on trial, tell them what you know and what you can speak of, and let the attorney decide what role is best served for you.

The attorney is in the best position to make those decision, you can be called as a character witness if the attorney chooses to call you.

You can write a letter to the judge and give it to his attorney to give to the judge at the right time. The letter should explain how you know the defendant, it should also say or show that you know the nature of the allegations against the defendant and lastly you need to explain why the judge should be lenient.

No, unless you are a favorable witness who can testify. Letters will only help after someone has already been convicted, and the Judge considers the letter as a mitigating factor during sentencing.

If the person is in trial, unless you were a witness or a character witness, there is nothing you can do. Any letters or other such efforts only go toward mitigation at sentencing if convicted and would not be considered by a judge prior to that.

The best thing that you can do to help someone who is on trial is to ensure that they are represented by a good attorney. Letters to the judge will not help anyone during the trial phase, and can only hurt. Even at the time of sentencing, if you are planning to write to a judge, you should allow that person's attorney to screen the letters prior to submitting them to the court. The most important thing at trial is that a person has knowledgeable and competent representation.

If that person is convicted, usually character references to the judge are helpful.

Aside from improper "ex parte" communications, that person could possibly testify as a "character witness."

Unless you are a witness to the case, the only help you can offer is moral support by being in court while the trial is going on. If the trial hasn't started yet, then you might be able to help your friend find the right attorney to try their case. Letters to the judge are usually only considered at the time of sentencing and they usually aren't given much weight.

No, none of that works or is relevant.

No. Presenting a solid defense is the only way a person may be assisted at trial. Letters to the Court would be inappropriate. Such letters may be considered at the time of sentencing if the person is convicted.

If the trial has already started you can testify as a witness. If you have information that might help him let his attorney know. If you are a character witness you may be able to help if he is convicted.

Talk to the person's lawyer. Sometimes a letter to the judge can be used at sentencing, and sometimes testimony about the person's character can help at trial, but only the lawyer will know.

Talk to his attorney, and follow their directions.

If you're a witness or you have important information regarding the case, you should notify the defendant's attorney. Character letters may or may not make a difference, depending on the charges and circumstances. They sometimes help at the time of sentencing, but don't usually have any legal effect during the trial (the question isn't whether or not the defendant's mom thinks he's a good boy, the question is whether or not he committed the crime he's charged with). Sometimes it helps to have friends / family present when the defendant's attorney is arguing for reduced bail. A strong showing of support can convince a judge that the defendant is less of a flight risk or danger to the community.

There is no one thing you can do. Were you a witness to anything? Does the person have a spotless record such that you can tesitfy as a character witness? Your question is difficult to answer without more information. However, one thing is easy to answer: YOU CANNOT HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH THE JUDGE UNLESS THE PROSECUTOR IS PRESENT. Therefore, the judge will not read any letters that are not forwarded to the prosecutor.

The best thing to do is consult with the defense attorney in the case. The defense attorney will know what the trial strategy is and how to achieve the goals that the client desires.

That question is extremely broad. More than likely, the main thing you can do is be an available, honest, and persuasive witness for the person. Speak with their attorney to get specific advice and direction. If they don't have an attorney, help with finances to obtain an attorney.

You may consider being a character witness. Moral support is also always needed.

Do not attempt to have any communications with the Judge. Make yourself available to assists with errands, etc. and provide moral support.

Letters to the judge don't necessarily help. It may help as far as sentencing is concerned, but it wont help address the factual elements of the offense s/he is charged with. The best thing you can do is simply be available for his/her attorney and help them obtain any information they request.

Is this a trial by judge or jury? You can provide moral support and attend everyday if you wish as well as provide encouragement to your friend. However, DO NOT write any letters to the judge! That would be a big misnomer that would do much more harm than good. If your friend is convicted, you can certainly write a letter to the judge and/or appear at sentencing and speak on your friend's behalf, but not during the trial itself. Make sure your friend has good, competent, and experienced counsel. Just being there for him is a big support in trials.

If you want to help, see if you can talk to their lawyer and see if they have any suggestions. I have people send letters to me so I can decide how and when to use them to benefit a client. I would not suggest sending a letter directly to a judge.

Well unless you a witness to the crime, the only thing you can do is speak on his behalf at sentencing. I strongly suggest that you speak to your friend's attorney about helping and get your answer from him or her.