Letter to judge?

[joeshlabodnik]

Would it be appropriate for a third party
to write to a judge on behalf of someone
who is about to go before them? Here is the situation: A very good friend of mine is about to have a hearing for a retail theft
charge. She plans on pleading guilty to that
one and not guilty to two other related charges. If I write to the judge in confidence before her hearing, stating that
she is a drug addict and would best be served
in a treatment facility rather than jail?
He may give her probation, but she does have
a pretty full rap sheet, although she is not on probation at this time. I know that if this girl cleans up, she will become an honest productive member of society.

Please respond, I don't want to do something that may be counterproductive to her situation.

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[ALawyer]

I would NOT write the letter -- until and unless it is time for sentencing. And then I'd ask the friend's lawyer. You may run into a judge who thinks that addiction is a negative, requiring incarceration where drugs are less available.

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