Under Federal Investigation in Tulsa? What a Target Letter Means

A target letter is the federal government telling you, in writing, that you are likely to be charged with a crime. Most white collar cases, such as fraud, false statements, tax and public corruption cases, take shape long before anyone is indicted. What you do in the next few weeks can shape everything that follows.

Target, subject, or witness

The Justice Department uses three labels. A target is someone the prosecutor or the grand jury has substantial evidence linking to a crime, and who is a likely defendant. A subject is someone whose conduct falls within the scope of the investigation. A witness is neither. A target letter tells you which group the government has put you in.

In Tulsa, federal cases are brought by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

How people usually find out

Some people receive a target letter. Others first learn of an investigation through a grand jury subpoena for records or testimony, a visit from federal agents at home or work, or a search warrant. Each one is a signal to get a lawyer before you respond.

What not to do

Do not talk to agents without a lawyer. Being friendly and explaining yourself rarely helps, and a false statement to a federal agent is its own crime, even if you are never charged with anything else.

Do not delete, change or throw away documents, emails or messages. Destroying records can be charged as a separate federal crime.

Do not contact other people involved to compare stories. That conversation can be described later as an attempt to influence a witness.

Do not ignore the letter or any deadline in it.

Why the time before charges matters

Before an indictment, a lawyer can learn what the government is investigating, respond to subpoenas, protect your Fifth Amendment rights, and in some cases present information to the prosecutor before a charging decision is made. No one can promise how an investigation will end, but this is the stage when the most options are still open.

If you have been arrested on any charge, also read Arrested in Tulsa? What to Do in the First 48 Hours.

To talk with a Tulsa criminal defense attorney privately, call (918) 221-6190 or request a free consultation.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts.