A target letter is the means by which the federal government informs individuals that they are targets for criminal prosecution. In the simplest terms, it means the federal prosecutor believes the recipient has committed a crime.
Why would I get a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice?
If you receive a target letter, you are not being charged with anything or under arrest. However, it’s often an indication that the government will likely follow up with a civil or criminal charge. Target letters can be sent out at various stages of an ongoing investigation.
What is a federal letter?
A federal target letter is issued by federal prosecutors to individuals under criminal investigation and puts them on notice that the federal government is investigating them for violations of federal law.
What does it mean to get a target letter?
A target letter is the means by which the federal government informs individuals that they are targets for criminal prosecution. In the simplest terms, it means the federal prosecutor believes the recipient has committed a crime.
What happens after a target letter?
Target Letters and Federal Investigation Defense
If you have received a target letter, our team will advise you on what you need to say and do as you proceed through an investigation, and will do everything possible to protect you continuing even into a possible trial.
How do you know if the feds are investigating you?
How Do You Know You’re Under Federal Investigation?
- The knock on the door. Most people who are under investigation learn about it when law enforcement knocks on their door and asks to talk to them. …
- A search warrant. …
- A subpoena. …
- For federal employees – an OIG meeting. …
- The Target Letter. …
- The word on the street.
How long can the Feds target someone?
Statute of Limitations in Federal Crime Cases
For most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years. Bank fraud has a statute of limitations of ten years. Immigration violations and arson are also subject to a ten year limit.
State Criminal Laws
The power to enact criminal laws belongs almost exclusively to the states. This is because of the Tenth Amendment, which vests in states a police power to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of state citizens.
Why would FBI send me a certified letter?
The letter informs the recipient of the nature of the charges being investigated (e.g. insider trading, wire fraud, etc.). Target letters are sometimes sent during the target or pre-indictment phase of a white-collar crime investigation.