Character Reference Letter for Felon Friend - Screw Me Over for BigLaw? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Paranoid 2L with a BigLaw SA with a question here. These are all probably stupid questions, but I have zero interest in litigation or criminal law so I have no idea what is the right "protocol", if any.

Since around college, one of my best friends has fallen into the wrong crowd. He is now pleading guilty for breaking & entering, a felony in his state. He and his defense attorney has asked me to write him a character reference letter before he goes in for sentencing. I am probably going to do it. A few questions here:

- I highly doubt there is any way it will impact or even reach my summer firm. He is from, and got arrested in, a different state than my summer firm. The one thing I am worrying about is background checks: my firm is still conducting background checks on me and the other SA's. Will a character reference letter for my friend come up on my firm's background checks? Future background checks?

- The other issue is C&F matters. I'm a 2L heading to Florida (home state). I want to pass the bar there. Will this character letter impact C&F issues? Not afraid to disclose it, just don't want it to somehow screw me over.


I'm willing to stick out my neck for my friend, but less so if it will screw me over. My friend fucked up big time and I do think he should learn from his lessons, but I don't think he should go to jail (not that my character reference letter will prevent that). Just want to help out because he had a rough upbringing.

TL;DR - Want to write a character reference letter for felon friend in sentencing, will it screw me over for background checks of trying to pass the Florida Bar?

[A. Nony Mouse]

No one besides the court will know that you wrote the letter, and even if they did, there's nothing unethical about writing a letter of support.

[Anonymous User]

X

[Good Guy Gaud]

No one besides the court will know that you wrote the letter, and even if they did, there's nothing unethical about writing a letter of support.

+1

[Internetdan]

Nah bruh time to cut ties, you in the majors now. You try to bring the whole hood up with you and you end up like Michael Vick

[Anonymous User]

Nah bruh time to cut ties, you in the majors now. You try to bring the whole hood up with you and you end up like Michael Vick

OP here. Lol - to be fair, he had a really fucked up childhood.


Thanks to everyone for the advice, looks like I'm going to go through with it.

[jrass]

You're allowed to vouch for people. You're just not allowed to lie. What's the point of succeeding in law anyway if you can't tell the truth to help your friend?