DUI Character Reference Letter from Employer or Supervisor Template

[Your Company Letterhead, if available]

[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company/Organization Name]
[Company Street Address]
[City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

[Date]

The Honorable [Judge’s Full Name]
[Name of Court]
[Street Address]
[City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code]

1. Introduction and Your Role

Re: Character Reference Letter for [Employee’s Full Name] – DUI Case [Case Number]

Dear Judge [Judge’s Last Name],

My name is [Your Full Name], and I am the [Your Job Title] at [Company/Organization Name]. I have supervised [Employee’s Full Name] in my role as [employee’s supervisor/manager] for approximately [number] years. I am writing this letter to provide a professional character reference for [Employee’s Name] in connection with [his/her/their] DUI case.

2. Company Information and How You Know the Employee

[Company/Organization Name] is a [brief description of company, e.g., “small family-owned business,” “regional service provider,” “professional services firm,” etc.] located in [City, State/Province]. We employ approximately [number] people, and our work requires employees to be [reliable, honest, safety-focused, customer-oriented, etc.].

[Employee’s Name] has worked for our company since [Month/Year] in the position of [Employee’s Job Title]. In this role, [he/she/they] is responsible for:

• [Responsibility 1, e.g., “serving customers and handling cash transactions”]

• [Responsibility 2, e.g., “operating company equipment safely”]

• [Responsibility 3, e.g., “completing assigned tasks on schedule and working as part of a team”]

In my experience, [Employee’s Name] has been a [brief summary: “reliable and hard-working employee,” “positive presence on our team,” “person we can depend on to complete important tasks,” etc.].

3. Work Performance and Character

During the time I have supervised [Employee’s Name], I have observed [him/her/them] to be:

• Reliable and punctual:
  [Example: “Regularly arrives on time, rarely misses work without a valid reason, and is willing to stay late when needed to finish important tasks.”]

• Responsible and trustworthy:
  [Example: “Trusted with handling money, sensitive information, or company equipment, and has done so without any issues of dishonesty.”]

• Respectful and cooperative:
  [Example: “Treats coworkers and customers with respect, communicates professionally, and contributes to a positive work environment.”]

• Committed to quality work:
  [Example: “Takes pride in doing the job well, follows instructions, and is open to feedback and improvement.”]

Based on what I have seen in the workplace, [Employee’s Name] is someone who generally takes responsibilities seriously and strives to meet expectations.

4. Awareness of the DUI Incident and Its Impact

I am aware that [Employee’s Name] was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) on [Date of Incident]. I understand that this is a serious matter and that driving under the influence can have significant consequences.

Since the incident, I have observed that [Employee’s Name] has been [describe reactions: “deeply remorseful,” “very concerned about how this affects [his/her/their] job and family,” “anxious to make things right,” etc.]. [He/She/They] has been open with me about the situation and appears to understand the seriousness of the charge and its potential impact on [his/her/their] future.

5. Changes and Efforts Since the DUI Incident

From an employer’s perspective, I have seen [Employee’s Name] take positive steps since the DUI incident, including:

• [Example: “Maintaining regular attendance and continuing to perform [his/her/their] job duties at a high level despite the stress of the case.”]

• [Example: “Making personal transportation changes, such as arranging rides or using alternative transportation, to avoid any risk of impaired driving.”]

• [Example: “Participating in DUI education, treatment, or counseling and talking about the lessons learned.”]

These actions suggest to me that [Employee’s Name] is treating this experience as a serious wake-up call and is trying to learn from it.

6. Opinion of Employee’s Character and Future Potential

In my professional opinion, the DUI charge does not reflect the overall character and work ethic that [Employee’s Name] has demonstrated at [Company/Organization Name]. While I recognize that the court must address the DUI offense appropriately, I also believe it is important to consider [his/her/their] positive qualities and contributions.

Based on my direct experience supervising [Employee’s Name], I believe [he/she/they] has the potential to continue being a responsible, productive member of the workforce and the community. I do not see [him/her/them] as someone who is indifferent to safety or the law, but rather as someone who made a serious mistake and is capable of meaningful change.

7. Respectful Request to the Court

I respectfully ask the Court to take this character reference into consideration when determining the outcome of [Employee’s Name]’s DUI case. I understand that there must be consequences for [his/her/their] actions, and I am not asking that the offense be overlooked. Instead, I hope that the Court will recognize [his/her/their] strong work history, sense of responsibility at work, and efforts to learn from this incident.

If the Court allows [Employee’s Name] to continue working and meeting [his/her/their] obligations, I believe [he/she/they] will use that opportunity to move forward in a positive and law-abiding way.

8. Willingness to Support the Employee

As an employer/supervisor, I am prepared to continue supporting [Employee’s Name] by:

• Providing ongoing supervision and feedback;

• Encouraging responsible decisions about transportation and alcohol use;

• Allowing reasonable scheduling flexibility for court dates, treatment, or required programs when possible.

I believe that with structure and support, [Employee’s Name] can continue to be a valuable member of our team and the community.

9. Closing and Contact Information

Thank you for taking the time to review this letter and consider my perspective on [Employee’s Name]’s character and work history. If the Court has any questions or requires additional information, I am willing to be contacted at [phone number] or [email address].

Respectfully,

[Your Signature, if printed]
[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company/Organization Name]
[Date]