Federal Target Letter
Most criminal offenses are prosecuted in state court. The federal government also has jurisdiction to prosecute various misdemeanor and felony offenses in federal court. Jurisdiction to prosecute the case within the federal criminal justice system occurs for any of the following reasons:
- the crime impacts interstate commerce;
- the crime happened on land owned by the federal government; or
- the allegations involve a loss or harm to the federal government.
Many federal cases begin with a letter to the target of a federal criminal investigation (often called the “target letter”) from the United States Attorney’s Office. The letter comes from an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) explaining the following:
You are the target of a Federal Grand Jury investigation concerning criminal violations related to these specific statutes:_______, or related offenses.
The United States is prepared to proceed before a Federal Grand Jury to seek charges against you. Before we proceed to bring these formal charges against, we would like to explore with you whether this matter can be resolved short of indictment.
Please contact me as soon as possible so that we may discuss this matter.
If we do not hear from you on or before [a specific date]. we shall assume that you do not wish to discuss the matter and will proceed accordingly.
If you received a federal target letter, act quickly to find an experienced federal criminal defense attorney. Your attorney can present exculpatory evidence and mitigation to the federal investigators and the Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) assigned to the case. Letting your attorney advocate on your behalf during the early stages of the investigation often leads to the best results.
Letter to Federal Grand Jury Witness
You might also receive a letter from an AUSA if you are scheduled to appear before the federal Grand Jury in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. As a Grand Jury witness, you might be asked to testify and answer questions or to produce records and documents.
The letter warns you that the destruction or alteration of any document required to be produced before the grand jury constitutes a serious violation of federal law, including but not limited to the crime of “Obstruction of Justice.”
The letter to a Grand Jury witness might also warn you that you are the target of the Grand Jury’s investigation. Anything that you do or say may be used against you in a subsequent legal proceeding.
You may refuse to answer any question if a truthful answer to the question would tend to incriminate you. If you have retained an attorney, who represents you personally, you will have reasonable opportunities to step outside the Grand Jury room and confer with your attorney during your testimony.
Additional Resources
Sample Target Letter for Federal Grand Jury Witness – Visit the Criminal Resource Manual of the United States Department of Justice to find a Sample Target Letter at CRM 1-499 and referenced in JM 9-11.151.
Attorney for Federal Criminal Investigations in Tampa, FL
If you received a target letter from a prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida, contact a federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa, FL, at Sammis Law Firm. During the initial consultation, we can discuss your case and what you might need to do to protect yourself against a false or exaggerated accusation.
If you wish to resolve the case by taking responsibility, your federal criminal defense attorney can help you negotiate the best terms. Your attorney can work with the AUSA to negotiate the terms of the Waiver of Indictment, Information, Acknowledgment of Plea Offer, and Plea Agreement. Your attorney can also help you complete the Financial Disclosure Statement and Individual Declaration as to Payment of Special Assessment Upon Conviction.
When no plea deal is appropriate, your federal criminal defense attorney can prepare the case for pretrial motions including a motion to suppress illegally seized evidence or exclude unduly prejudicial evidence. Your federal criminal defense attorney can also prepare the case for trial to convince the jury to return a “not guilty” verdict.
Call 813-250-0500.
Additional Resources
Sample Target Letter – Visit the United States Department of Justice website to find a sample target letter in the criminal resource manual. The letter is sent to a witness scheduled to appear before the federal Grand Jury to provide helpful background information about the Grand Jury. The Grand Jury consists of sixteen to twenty-three persons who inquire into federal crimes that may have been committed in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. Witnesses may be asked to testify, answer questions, and produce records and documents. If you are the target of the Grand Jury’s investigation, you may refuse to answer any question if a truthful answer would tend to incriminate you. Suppose you have retained a criminal defense attorney who represents you personally. In that case, the Grand Jury will permit you a reasonable opportunity to step outside the Grand Jury room and confer with counsel if you desire.
This article was last updated on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
