What to do after receiving a Federal Target Letter
What happens if you receive a target letter?
What Is a Federal Target Letter?
Let's start here. A federal target letter is a formal notification from a federal prosecutor that you’re under investigation, and could face criminal charges. Typically, it’s issued in accordance with the United States Department of Justice policies (see justice.gov) and signals the government’s belief there is evidence linking you to a potential federal offense. If you’ve received one, it means the government is focusing its resources on you. Having a great legal defense team on your side is a game changer when it comes to dealing with receiving federal target letters.
Federal Subpeona
If this is your situation
Stop reading. Start defending.
A Federal Grand Jury Subpoena compels you to produce documents or testify before a grand jury. Sometimes, both a target letter and subpoena arrive together, making it clear: the DOJ wants information, and possibly your testimony. If you ignore this subpoena, you could face penalties such as contempt of court or obstruction of justice.
Common Crimes and Potential Penalties
Federal offenses often carry severe consequences. Depending on the statute, punishments can include:
- Prison Time under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- Significant Financial Fines
- Restitution to alleged victims
- Supervised Release or probation
For example, lying to a federal agent (18 U.S.C. § 1001) is punishable by up to five years in prison, and conspiracy charges (18 U.S.C. § 371) often result in harsh penalties.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Federal Target Letter?
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Do Not Panic
Receiving a target letter is serious, but it doesn’t guarantee an indictment. At Spodek Law Group P.C., we’ve represented clients nationwide, coast to coast, who faced federal investigations. We can guide you through the entire process. -
Contact a Top Rated Federal Lawyer Immediately
The Spodek Law Group P.C. team has experience dealing with grand jury proceedings, plea negotiations, and pre-indictment strategies. You want an attorney who understands the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, (see USCourts.gov) and can protect your rights. -
Stay Silent and Avoid Self-Incrimination
Anything you say to federal agents can be used against you. We recommend you speak to an attorney first. If investigators come knocking, politely but firmly decline to speak without counsel. -
Preserve All Relevant Documents
You must not destroy evidence or withhold information if subpoenaed. Doing so can lead to obstruction charges, which carry penalties on par with the underlying offense. -
Gather Information About the Investigation
Know what agents are seeking: Are they investigating wire fraud, tax violations, drug offenses, or other white collar crimes? The more we understand, the more we can prepare a robust defense.
How We Build Your Defense Strategy
Spodek Law Group P.C. is known for employing innovative, client-focused defense strategies. Depending on your situation, we might argue:
- Lack of Criminal Intent: If the government cannot prove you knowingly violated the law, the case might be dismissed or reduced.
- Entrapment: If you were induced to commit an offense you otherwise wouldn’t have committed, we might pursue entrapment defenses.
- Challenging the Evidence: We look for illegal search and seizure issues, chain-of-custody problems, and other errors that can weaken the prosecution’s evidence.
- Plea Negotiations: If the prosecution’s case is strong, we can negotiate for reduced charges or sentencing agreements under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Regardless of how complicated your case is, or which state you’re in, rest assured our federal defense attorneys can protect you. Spodek Law Group P.C. is a premier, award winning, Federal criminal defense law firm with offices throughout Long Island and NYC. We have over 50 years of combined experience handling some of the toughest cases nationwide. Regardless of the situation, if you’ve received a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena, or a Target Letter from a U.S. Attorney’s Office, we can help you understand your options.
Top Rated Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
We are one of the top rated criminal defense law firms in the USA. We have been interviewed by major media outlets. We are committed to providing superior legal representation-while understanding how daunting federal investigations are for our clients.
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We’ve been on all major news outlets providing legal insights. Our NYC Criminal Lawyers have handled high-profile cases, including representation in the Ghislaine Maxwell juror scandal and the Netflix “Inventing Anna” case involving Anna Sorokin.
We Fight. We Protect. We Defend.
At Spodek Law Group P.C., we believe that every client deserves honesty and service. Our objective is simple: get you the best possible outcome. If you’re facing potential criminal charges, we are available 24/7 to help you navigate these treacherous waters.
Speak to an Attorney Today
Call us or fill out our online form. We offer a risk free consultation to all potential clients. We can help you figure out next steps and give you a sense of possible outcomes.
We Are Available 24/7
If you received a federal target letter, time is of the essence. Contact Spodek Law Group P.C. to protect your future.
No case is too large or too small.
We have handled major federal charges, from white collar fraud to conspiracy allegations, with over 50 years of combined experience on our side.
Disclaimer: No recipient of content from this article, client or otherwise, should act or refrain from acting based on any content included herein without seeking the appropriate legal advice from an attorney licensed in the recipient’s state. Spodek Law Group P.C. expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this article. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship between Spodek Law Group P.C. and any recipients. Every case is different, and the information provided is not a guarantee of specific results.