What Is a Target Letter and What Should You Do If You Receive One?

If you've received a letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office telling you that federal prosecutors have "received information" that you committed a federal crime, you've received what's known as a target letter. It is one of the most serious documents you can receive, and it typically comes with a deadline. What you do between now and that deadline can determine whether you're indicted, what you're charged with, and how your case unfolds from here. Here's what a target letter actually says, what it means, and why you need an experienced federal criminal defense attorney immediately.

Target Letters Are Often Hand Delivered by an FBI Agent

Target letters are frequently hand delivered by an FBI agent showing up at your home or workplace. This can be alarming, and it's often meant to be. If an agent arrives with a letter for you, simply accept it. Do not answer questions, do not try to explain yourself, and do not make any statements. Politely tell the agent you will have your attorney contact them, and call a federal criminal defense lawyer right away.

What a Target Letter Actually Says

A target letter is written notice from the U.S. Attorney's Office telling you that federal prosecutors have received information tying you to a specific federal crime. The letter will typically cite the exact statute, such as wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1349. The letter explains that in a typical situation, your case would be presented to a federal grand jury. If the grand jury returns an indictment, a warrant would be issued for your arrest.

But before that happens, the letter offers you something important: an opportunity to meet with the U.S. Attorney's Office to discuss a possible resolution of your case before it's ever presented to the grand jury. Any such meeting should take place with your federal criminal defense attorney present, not on your own. The letter will also set a firm deadline by which the assigned prosecutor needs to hear from you or your attorney about how you wish to proceed. If that deadline passes with no response, the letter makes clear that federal prosecutors will assume you're not interested in discussing the matter and will proceed with seeking an indictment.

Why the Deadline Is the Most Important Part of the Letter

The single most important thing about a target letter is the response deadline. This is not a formality. It is federal prosecutor telling you exactly how much time you have before they take your case to the grand jury. Once an indictment is returned, a warrant is issued and you will be arrested. Responding to the letter gives your attorney the opportunity to influence the decision on whether charges are filed at all, what charges are filed, or whether there's a resolution that avoids an indictment entirely.

It's important to understand what the deadline actually requires. The deadline is not a date by which your case must be resolved. It is simply the date by which you or your attorney needs to make contact with the U.S. Attorney's Office. Reaching out before the deadline opens a dialogue and keeps all your options on the table. 

This window to open a dialogue closes fast. The deadline may only be two or three weeks from the date of the letter. That is not much time to retain an attorney who then needs to get up to speed, communicate with the U.S. Attorney's Office, and figure out the right strategy for your specific situation. This is why you should call a federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after you receive the letter.

What "Discuss a Possible Resolution" Really Means

The letter's offer to meet and discuss a "possible resolution" is the federal prosecutor inviting a conversation before charges are locked in. This could mean a chance to present information that changes the prosecutor's view of the case, negotiate the scope of charges, or reach an agreement that resolves the matter differently than a straight indictment. It does not mean you should show up and start explaining yourself. It means an experienced federal criminal defense attorney should be the one having that conversation on your behalf.  Through these conversations, your lawyer can gain a thorough understanding what the U.S. Attorney's Office has and what your options actually are.

What You Should Not Do

Do not contact the prosecutor yourself before speaking with an attorney. Do not assume you can explain your way out of the situation in a meeting you haven't prepared for. Do not wait until close to the deadline to start looking for a lawyer. And do not ignore the letter.  The federal prosecutor has told you plainly what happens if they don't hear from you. You will be indicted and not have the opportunity to influence the charging decision.

How The Mendelsohn Ertel Law Group Can Help

At The Mendelsohn Ertel Law Group, we regularly represent clients who have received target letters from U.S. Attorney's Offices, across cases involving wire fraud, tax offenses, firearms charges, and other federal crimes. Our Atlanta federal criminal defense attorneys have three decades of experience practicing only criminal defense in federal court, including years spent within the Federal Defender Program. We understand how federal prosecutors in the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Georgia approach these pre-indictment conversations.

We move quickly once we're retained.  We review learn your perspective on the case and the investigation, opening a dialogue with the assigned U.S. Attorney's Office before the indictment deadline passes.  Over the following weeks and months we dig into the case, develop a tailored, aggressive defense strategy, and give you a clear, honest assessment of your options. 

Received a Target Letter? Contact Us Now

If you've received a target letter, the clock is already running. Fill out our contact page or call us at 404-885-8878 for a confidential consultation with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney in Atlanta. Whether your deadline is weeks away or just days away, we're here to help you respond the right way.