If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It is best to submit a letter to a judge as close as possible to the date of the hearing or sentencing, as this will ensure that the judge has the most current information when making their decision. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Nor was her family notified prior to these actions and decisions. Because your purpose may not be realized if key facts are left out. DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. Sahara Fakhir, 32, was sentenced Monday for the murder of 66-year-old Jerry Wheeler. Doing so will prevent you from accidentally revealing information that could negatively affect your case, but more significantly, the most effective letters are those meant to sway sentencing rather than those meant to sway a verdict. Defense attorneys prefer that their clients friends and relatives send the letter to the attorney first so that the attorney can read over the letter and confirm that there is no information in the letter that may be detrimental to the defendants case. This post shows how to write a letter to a judge. The judge asked Fakhir, who did not enter a plea, if she is going to get a lawyer. ", https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/going-to-court-for-criminal-charge/writing-character-reference, https://thelawdictionary.org/article/best-way-to-write-a-professional-letter-to-a-judge/, https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/representing/lawassist_readingwritinghome_wysk/lawassist_letters_wysk/lawassist_letters_courts.aspx, https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/12/263.9. I'm not creating content, I'm creating awareness to empower you to take control of your legal understanding and achieve your goals. If at all feasible, deliver your letter in person, and if required, use a dispatch book to record the date and signature of the recipient. Neli-Latson, Pardon wrongfully convicted autistic youth Neli Latson, Abolition Now! Surely with every difficulty, there is relief. If you or someone you care about is facing the court system, you probably have lots of questions. He also said Fakhir could face additional charges for her behavior in the courtroom. Do Bankruptcies Show Up on Background Checks? Whether you are a layperson looking to increase your knowledge, a law student striving to excel in your studies, or a practicing lawyer wanting to expand your expertise, I am here to help. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Put your strongest arguments first, and phrase your arguments as briefly as you can. If you need legal advice, contact a licensed attorney. In addition, he has familial support including myself, our parents, and oursister. Knowing what to include in your letter and how to say it can determine how effective the letter ends up being. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. In some circumstances, you may find it helpful to write a letter to a judge. BAHIR, SEFER HA- (Heb. We are trying to get back In court to see if he could, "I have had brain surgery and I'm in need of a lawyer. In the last three years, District Attorney David McDade and others have been under investigation and some forced to resign for numerous illegal activities, including misuse of conviction files put into his personal storage, money laundering and racketeering. His body was discovered by his son, a deputy with the Douglas County Sheriffs Office. This article has been viewed 1,532,724 times. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. State lawyers asked investigators if they used gloves at the crime scene. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. Honorable [Judges Full Name], United States District Judge, 11 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242. The letters should not include personal information like address and phone number. Sahara Fakhir was not read her Miranda rights until 30 hours after her arrest. 2023 Cox Media Group. Last Updated: August 23, 2022 God almighty says if we say we believe in Him and love Him, we will be tested. This can go in the first sentence of the letter or separately between the address and the salutation as follows: [4] RE: [Defendant's Name]. Include the name of the victim or the defendant, how you know the defendant, and why youre writing on behalf of them. Alexis Stevens is a member of the Crime and Public Safety team. If you choose to write the letter by hand, again use high-quality paper and stay away from lined paper. RAW: Court outburst from murder suspect Raw video: Woman charged with murdering neighbor makes first appearance. Put it on the top-left of your letter. Use the judge's professional address, which is typically the courthouse in which he or she presides. A search dog was also brought in and allowed to defecate on the floor; the mess was left there and not picked up. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. footprint found at the home of murdered businessman Jerry Wheeler matchedSahara Tabriz Fakhir's footprint, Dep. Sahara Fakhir is 33 years old. DOUGLAS cOUNTY, Ga. Sahara Fakhir, who is charged with murdering Jerry Wheeler, told a Douglas County courtroom that Allah was her lawyer and she demanded a judge release her or face the. I'm with the first commenter. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Barbara Fakhir, Rasheed Fakhir, Rahime Fakhir, Tamika Boyd and Donald Glover, and many others are family members and associates of Sahara. I needed to write the, "I was given precise information that helped me accomplish my task at hand. Salute the Judge, eg. Through his divorce from his wife, he remained stable and active in his childrens lives, never waveringin his love and support for them. In the above-named case before this honorable court, I was the complainant and victim, and through this letter, I would like to request that the charges against [name of the offender] be dismissed. As a result, his offense comes as a complete shock. % of people told us that this article helped them. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. How should I address a letter to a judge? A letter to a judge is written in business letter format. She should be locked away and forgotten about. Family members and friends of the parents and child may feel obligated to share their experiences with the adult and why or why not they would make a fit parent. It was also noted that a robbery and gruesome struggle occurred, although the victims wallet was found in the home with contents of $900 in cash untouched. Even though she is physically restricted due to knees that limither mobility, she is always willing to sacrifice her own needs for the benefit of others. Dear Judge [Judge's Last Name], I am writing this letter to express my remorse and take responsibility for my actions. Sources close to The D.C. Clothesline have made it known that neither The Easter Bunny nor Santa Claus were available to . Honorable Judge Black or just Your Honor if you dont know the name. Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com, TRAFFIC ALERT: 2 killed in multivehicle wreck on I-75 North in Marietta, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported, Father of 6 shot to death at baby shower in Gwinnett; couple arrested, 5 arrested after abused Georgia teen left at Glynn County hospital, Educator Ron Clark holds massive Survivor shindig at his academy, Suspended appeals judge says reprimand should be his toughest punishment, Time to clean house. Fulton jailer, assistants out after inmate death, sheriff says, Report: Okefenokee Swamp among countrys most endangered waterways, $2B project pitched for metro Atlanta, aiming to snag NHL franchise, Gwinnett jail contractor facing lawsuit after inmate death. During the time of Ramadan, there was misconduct and disrespect during searches and seizures at Sahara Fakhirs residence. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Research source This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. When signing the letter, you should close out with Respectfully or Sincerely, followed by both a typed and handwritten signature with your first and last name. It is simply a proper opening salutation. In all times, Ive known My husband to be a trustworthy, caring, and devout friend and husband. He has already enrolled and begun attending counseling meetings, so I am confident that he is serious about getting better. The best way to write a letter to a judge is in business style, which is a formal way of structuring your message (outlined below). Sahara Tabriz Fakhir, 32, of River Run Drive in Douglasville, appeared before Douglas County Superior Court Judge Robert J. James in what was a bizarre initial appearance hearing. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Honorable Judge John BlackABC United States Courthouse100 South Fourth Street Suite 100Minneapolis, MN 55475. There are several purposes for writing a letter to a judge, those purposes include but are not limited to; Its critical to put effort into clarifying your purpose so that the letter is taken seriously and accomplishes its objective. She was also found guilty and sentenced for charges of armed robbery and burglary, in. I know her personally and in all honesty I don't think she is in the best state if mind more so because she can't believe the allegations against her. I. "It's only going to get worse." Start a letter to a judge by clearly explaining why you are writing it. [XXXXXXX]. I understand that I have been found guilty of [offense (s) for which I am being sentenced], and I am prepared to face the consequences of my actions. From clarifying your intentions to finally sending your letter. Finally, open your letter with a salutation like, "Dear Judge Dela Cruz." The custody hearing is scheduled for (date). We have lots of information about Sahara: religious views are listed as Muslim, ethnicity is Middle Eastern American, and political affiliation is unknown. A judge should be addressed with the proper address and salutation. Wheeler, 66, was the owner of Lee Road Auto Service and a husband, father and grandfather. "My employee missed a very important court date before the judge for "driving while suspended" this. In the third paragraph, highlight the defendant's positive character traits to show the judge they're a good person. In many cases, family members or friends will write a letter to a judge before sentencing, to illustrate a defendants character. Our website is dedicated to providing resources, information, and education to help bridge the gap between law and society and empower you to understand and engage with the law in your own life. DOUGLAS cOUNTY, Ga. Sahara Fakhir, who is charged with murdering Jerry Wheeler, told a Douglas County courtroom that Allah was her lawyer and she demanded a judge release her or face the consequences. You do not have to be a professional writer to draft a clear, concise, and accurate letter. Those of us who are loved ones are also being tested. Request what should a judge do to help your relative. There are several details to include in your letter to the judge, but the following must not miss; Before you start writing your letter, double-check that you have all of the information youll need to convey your message accurately. In a character letter, the author attempts to persuade a judge to impose a minimal sentence upon the defendant by vouching for the defendant's good character. An examination of Sahara Fakhir proved she had no marks on her body to indicate a struggle. Police allege that it was reported that there . Fakhir was found guilty of murder, armed robbery and burglary. The old "Allah Will Punish You if You Don't Release Me" Defense. Underneath the judge's information, briefly mention what your letter is in regards to. He is well-known for being a person of good character, a respectable husband and parent, and a trustworthy community member. The hearing was to formally inform Fakhir of her rights and to read the charges against her - allegations that she stabbed Jerry Wheeler repeatedly and left him for dead June 18. "I appreciated how clearly it explained the steps to writing a good letter that included. The letter should be no longer than one page. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Write-a-Letter-to-a-Judge-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-a-Letter-to-a-Judge-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Write-a-Letter-to-a-Judge-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid2709377-v4-728px-Write-a-Letter-to-a-Judge-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"