Federal target letters
A target letter means a federal prosecutor considers you a likely defendant in a grand jury investigation. It is serious, and it is also a chance to get a lawyer involved before any charge is filed. Do not call the prosecutor or the agent yourself. Call a criminal defense lawyer first.
What "target" means
Under Justice Department policy, a "target" is a person the prosecutor or grand jury has substantial evidence linking to a crime and whom the prosecutor considers a putative defendant [1]. In plain terms, the government thinks it may charge you.
The same policy encourages prosecutors, in appropriate cases, to notify a target a reasonable time before seeking an indictment so the target can ask to testify. Notice is not expected in routine clear cases or where it could hurt the investigation. This is internal policy, not a right [2]. Do not read anything into not getting a letter; if you think you are under investigation, call a lawyer.
What usually comes next
A federal offense punishable by death or by more than one year in prison must be charged by grand jury indictment unless the defendant waives indictment in open court and the case proceeds by information [3] [4]. The time between the letter and any charge is the time your lawyer has to work.
What to do first
- Call a criminal defense lawyer who handles federal cases. Bring the letter and the envelope.
- Do not call the prosecutor or the agent named in the letter. Let your lawyer make contact.
- Do not talk to the police or agents about the case. You do not have to be a witness against yourself [5].
- Do not delete emails, texts, files or records, and do not ask anyone else to. Keep everything as it is until your lawyer advises you.
- Do not discuss the investigation with coworkers, business partners or anyone else who may be a witness. Those conversations can be repeated to agents.
- Do not post about it.
Testifying before the grand jury
The letter may invite you to testify. Do not decide that on your own. Testifying as a target is a serious choice, and it should be made only after a lawyer has learned as much as possible about the case.
What a lawyer can do with the time
- Contact the prosecutor and find out what the investigation is about.
- Gather and review your documents, privately, before anyone else does.
- Advise you on any grand jury subpoena, search or interview request.
- Talk with you about every option, including whether to say anything at all.
If you are charged
After a federal arrest or summons, an indictment or information must be filed within 30 days, subject to exceptions [6]. The steps from there are on the federal court page and in What happens next. If you received a subpoena rather than a target letter, read grand jury subpoenas.
Common questions
Should I call the prosecutor named in the letter?
Not yourself. Have a lawyer make that call. The lawyer can find out what the investigation is about, and you avoid saying something that could be used later.
Can I ignore the letter?
No. Ignoring it gives up the time you have to prepare. Call a lawyer and bring the letter and the envelope it came in.
Sources
- Justice Manual § 9-11.151 (updated Jan. 2020). Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
- Justice Manual § 9-11.153. Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
- Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(a)(1), (b); U.S. Const. amend. V. Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
- U.S. Const. amend. V. Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
- U.S. Const. amend. V. Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
- 18 U.S.C. § 3161(b). Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
Arrested, or think you might be? Call before you answer any questions.
Call and tell us who was arrested or contacted and where the case is. A lawyer will tell you what happens next and what to do tonight. Please do not type what happened into a form or an email. We will talk about it on the phone.