Minneapolis, MN Federal criminal defense attorney Andrew Birrell explains what a federal target letter is. He states that a federal Target letter is a formal notification from an Assistant United States Attorney to an individual, indicating that they are the target of a federal grand jury investigation. In this context, “target” is a specialized legal term signifying a person whom the prosecutor intends to charge with a federal crime.
The purpose of the letter is to encourage the recipient to either contact the prosecutor directly or, more appropriately, retain legal counsel to communicate on their behalf. He strongly advises that anyone who receives a Target letter should not contact the prosecutor themselves. Instead, they should immediately consult an experienced criminal defense attorney, who can provide guidance and represent their interests in responding appropriately.