Investigations · Grand jury
What a target letter means, and what it does not
A target letter is serious, but it is also an invitation to act before charges are decided. Here is how to read one.
You are reading: What the letter says
What the letter says
A target letter tells you that a federal prosecutor considers you a target of a grand jury investigation. In plain terms, the government believes it has substantial evidence linking you to a crime and is considering charges.
The letter usually names the general subject of the investigation, mentions your right to a lawyer, and invites you, through counsel, to get in touch.
What it does not say
It does not mean charges are certain. It does not tell you what evidence the government has, and it does not set out a deadline to be charged. Some investigations end without charges even after target letters go out.
It also does not require you to talk. Any conversation with prosecutors should happen through a lawyer, on terms agreed in advance.
Targets, subjects and witnesses
A subject is someone whose conduct is within the scope of the investigation. A witness simply has information. People move between these categories, sometimes because of what they say or produce early on.
What to do this week
Do not call the prosecutor or the agent yourself. Do not contact others who may be involved. Keep every document and device as it is. Then speak with a federal defense lawyer, who can learn more about the investigation and help you decide whether a meeting, a written presentation or silence serves you best.
This article is general information about how federal matters usually work. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation turns on its own facts.