[header] How to write a letter to a judge before sentencing [title] Talk with your lawyer. [step] Before deciding to write a letter, you should talk to your lawyer about whether or not a letter from you will help. Technically, you cannot have communications with a judge outside court, so letters from defendants are unusual. 
Instead, your lawyer will argue at sentencing why you should get a light sentence. [substeps] You should keep the communication lines open with your lawyer.