So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

[hostage]

I just got an email from my boat mechanic that he is in a little trouble with the law and he needs a character reference. I have never known anyone to have gotten in trouble like this before, nor have I ever been requested to do a request other than for a job interview.

He looks rough around the edges, though he has always been down to earth. He has been more than fair in servicing my boat and very helpful. He has been servicing my boat for 3 years and was recommended by the previous owner. We chat for a few when I see him, though I really don't know him outside of his boating life.

Bottom line I don't know what to do, the email kind of caught me off guard.

-Hostage

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

All you can do is state your experience based on how you and him have interacted, if it is just working on your boat and idle talk in passing, then that is all you can state. If he is in trouble bad enough that he has to ask casual acquaintances is sounds pretty bad.

 

[aspeck]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

I have been asked to give a few character witness statements. Only one I flat out refused because I didn't think that what I had to say would help them in any way. The others, well, I explained that I could only tell the truth and would be very clear as to the extent of my knowledge of them. ie We were in such and such organization together and through those meetings I got to know X. We never met socially outside the organization, but what I viewed while we were members together was ...

You want your word to be accurate according to what you KNOW and PERCEIVE about the person. Make sure knowledge and perception are clearly stated. In all cases I have asked the person who asked me to read what I have written before submission. I tell them if they don't want me to submit it, I will not, but don't ask me to change it. All have been understanding and have asked for me to submit the letter. I can PM you a copy of the most recent letter if you would like.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

Have you verified this with him personally . . . ???

email viruses and malware can do some funny things you know . . .

 

[hostage]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

Yep it is him, I was told they were going to email me something, thought it was for a job interview or something, didn't see it till now though.

Also, my boat is not in his possession/working on it or anything.

 

[lncoop]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

The fact that he's been in the same job servicing your boat well, being responsible and treating you fairly as a customer should be viewed as a positive, so I think your account of your interactions with him during that time period woud be helpful. I agree with Art. Tell him what you would say, and if he wants you to proceed, do so.

 

[rbh]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

Charactor references are great to have on hand for a perspective customer, we try and get one from each of our customers after every project.
Sometimes they do not go into much detail though, just a participation in said project and the type of work preformed.

But in your case a thorough overview of your history with this person may be in order, highlighting the cost per job were well within the margin for each aspect of the repair.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

Do you know what he did ? if not I would just ask him what happen, then make your choice.

 

[salty87]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

had a mobile mechanic help me with a few things around 10-12 yrs ago. i hadn't owned my boat very long at the time. he seemed to know his stuff and was a good teacher as well. i recommended him to a few friends.

fast forward a year or 2 and i see him on the evening news....arrested for the charge of murder. he had been on the run for something like 15 years avoiding the trial. you never know what's in somebody's past.

 

[roscoe]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

OK, let's not assume he did anything wrong.

Maybe another customer took him to small claims court over a boat repair dispute.

Tell him what you would be willing to say, and ask him what's up.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

Just tell the truth. Simple really.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

What actually is the roll of a 'character witness' anyway? Certainly not to decide guilt or innocence, but merely to determine any leniency in terms of penalty/punishment.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

I think it is likely that he has become the target of a civil suit and feels your character reference will help his case, and it may but should you choose to do this I would be prepared to be subpenaed to court.

Be truthful and honest about your PERSONAL dealings with him, what you have heard means absolutely nothing.

I do not see how any of this could be related to a criminal case, if it was you would be talking to the authorities not the defendant. I would also expect to be contacted by the Plaintiff, if you are contacted then you pretty much know whats going on, this is a civil suit related to your mechanics business.

 

[aspeck]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

Disagree slightly, Lipp. Had a situation where a known to me person was trying to plea to a lesser charge. His attorney asked him to get letters of character from different people that could be read into the court documents. This was an attempt for the DA, and eventual the judge to allow him to plea down. For him, it did not work.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

yes your right Art but you are talking about the penalty phase of the case not the criminal phase, depending on the seriousness of the crime you can have immediate penalty decisions or the penalty phase can be another trial it varies by state of course but character references are not part of the criminal phase of any trial its simply inadmissible and has nothing to do with the criminal portion, once you are judged to be guilty I have seen these come up.

 

[Markos Donald]

Re: So my mechanic seems to have gotten in trouble

I think that each state has its own laws, so it might be a trouble indeed.