In movies, defendants often get taken completely by surprise when police knock on their doors and want to search the house for drugs. This sometimes happens in real life, too, but it is also possible that prosecutors will want to engage with you on friendlier terms before, or even instead of, charging you with a crime. Federal target letters sound scarier, and indeed being the recipient of one is a much more stressful situation than simply going about your day with the feeling that the police are not especially interested in you. Receiving a federal target letter is not as bad as it sounds, however, and it is not as bad as being charged with a crime. Think of it as the prosecution’s offer for you to make the first move, although not making a move at all is not one of your options. There are several paths you can take after receiving a federal target letter, but the first step should always be to contact a Tulsa criminal defense lawyer.

The Purpose of Federal Target Letters

When prosecutors send you a federal target letter, they are notifying you that your name has come up in an investigation into an alleged crime. In most cases, you receive a federal target letter either immediately before or immediately after receiving a subpoena to testify as a witness before a grand jury in federal criminal court. This scenario most often happens during investigations of illegal activities that involve multiple parties, such as drug trafficking or financial crimes. When prosecutors send federal target letters, the case is still several steps away from you, or anyone else, formally receiving criminal charges.

Your Rights if You Receive a Federal Target Letter

If you receive a federal target letter or a subpoena to appear in court, ignoring it is not an option.  The first thing you should do is contact a criminal defense lawyer. In some jurisdictions, the court will even appoint public defenders to represent federal target letter recipients during their interactions with prosecutors.

When you testify before a grand jury, you must answer questions truthfully; if you lie, you can be charged with perjury. You do, however, have the right to avoid incriminating yourself, pursuant to the Fifth Amendment. If you plead the Fifth Amendment on the witness stand, it does not automatically mean that you will be charged with a crime. This is why you should discuss the situation with your lawyer before you meet with prosecutors and why your lawyer should be with you during questioning. Your lawyer might even be able to arrange a plea deal where you can avoid jail time or even get complete immunity from prosecution if you speak openly with prosecutors about the criminal enterprise and your role in it.

Contact Tracy Tiernan About Criminal Defense Cases

A criminal defense lawyer can help you exercise your legal rights if you have received a federal target letter. Contact Tracy Tiernan in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to discuss your case.