Most judges can be addressed at the beginning of a letter as "Dear Judge" if they serve in a U.S. state or federal Supreme Court.The full title of the judge and the court in which he/she serves should be used when addressing the envelope.If you don't know a judge's title, you can use the internet to find it.
Step 1: The judge's address can be found in the top left.
The judge's full address should be followed by left aligned text.You can see the section on addressing the judge on the envelope if you don't know how to format this.
Step 2: Underneath this, write your own address.
Start two lines beneath the judge's with your own address.Please include your name, street address, city and zip code.
Step 3: To start the letter, write "Dear Judge (surname)".
The letter should begin with "Dear Judge" followed by the judge's last name.Write this on its own line.The justices of the UK Supreme Court should be referred to as "dear (Lord/Lady) (surname)".If you're writing to a Supreme Court in the U.S., use "Dear Justice" instead.If a judge's title is "Chief Judge" or " Chief Justice," you may use that title instead."Justice" is also acceptable.
Step 4: You should use the language in which you write the best.
You don't have to write the letter in English if you have access to professional interpreters.It is possible to find a native English speaker to help you write a letter if the language is rare in your area.If you are a Spanish speaker living in the US, it is likely that a judge will be able to translate your letter.The judge would probably have a harder time finding an interpreter if you speak a foreign language in the US.
Step 5: Refer to the case name.
There is a name and number for each criminal case.Refer to the case by its name and number in the first sentence of your letter.If you don't know the name of the case, write "I am writing to you about it."
Step 6: The purpose of the letter should be clear.
The purpose for writing is what you should start the letter with.This should be in the first paragraph.Start the letter with "I am writing to you about my brother."I want you to lower his bail so he can afford an attorney.
Step 7: The letter needs to be short and simple.
The letter should not be more than one page.When writing a formal letter on behalf of an organization, write in your own words.Asking someone to help you with spelling and grammar mistakes is a good way to check them out.Your letter will be taken more seriously by the judge.If it makes you uncomfortable, you don't need to sound like a lawyer or businessman.All types of people are accepted by judges.
Step 8: New evidence should not be included in a case.
If you believe you have new evidence for a civil or criminal case, you should give it to the parties or attorneys in the case.The judge will have to share the evidence with everyone in the case.The judge will most likely turn the evidence over to the police or another agency if someone other than the party in the case brings it.
Step 9: The letter should be closed respectfully.
The best way to close a letter to a judge is respectfully, followed by your full name.If you prefer, you can write "respectfully yours" or " respectfully submitted".
Step 10: The address should be "The Honorable" on the envelope.
On the envelope addressed to Judge John Matthew Pool, write "The Honorable John M."There is a pool.Don't write the court address yet, you will need to include a second line with the judge's title.In the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth nations, judges are usually addressed on envelopes as "Hon Judge (surname)" or "Mr/Mrs Judge".Write "Justice (surname)" if the judge is a United States Supreme Court justice.John Roberts should write "The Chief Justice of the United States" without a name.
Step 11: Look at the judge's title.
If you don't have this information, you can search online.You can find the name of the courthouse on its website.The title and address of local judges can be found in a government section in some local telephone books.The court of employment for US federal judges can be found on the Federal Judicial Center website.Call or visit a law school library if the court address is not available online.
Step 12: The judge's title is written on the second line.
The judge's title is usually displayed on the court website or telephone directory listing, but you don't have to write the exact title.Use the guide to figure out how to write the title for judges in the U.S.The title is in the first line.
Step 13: The court's name should be added to the second line.
There are examples of how to format the names of various U.S. courts.
Step 14: The postal address of the court is where you should finish.
The postal address of the court is the same as always, with the street address on one line and the zip code on a line below it.The Honorable John M. PoolJudge of the U.S. Court of Appeals is located in San Francisco.
Step 15: Don't write ex parte communication.
You should not send a letter to the judge who is handling your case if you are a plaintiff.Ex parte communication is not allowed in that letter.Judges can't engage in ex parte communications because they need to decide a case fairly based on the evidence presented in court."Ex parte" means "on one side only; by or for one party."
Step 16: A written motion can be filed with the clerk of court.
You will have to serve the motion to all of the parties in the case after filing with the clerk of court.What relief you want will be explained to the court in your motion.Explain what relief you are entitled to."Relief" is what you are asking the court to do.
Step 17: The opposing side will receive the enclosed information.
If you send a letter or other document directly to the judge, he or she needs to know about it so the other parties can respond.
Step 18: You should respect the outcome.
The judge can deny your request without a hearing.