Receiving a federal grand jury subpoena or formal target letter indicates you are under active criminal scrutiny. Immediate legal intervention before an indictment is returned offers the highest probability of avoiding formal charges.
1. Critical Target Letter Response Checklist
- Step 1 (Do Not Contact Investigators): Refrain from speaking with federal agents without criminal defense counsel present.
- Step 2 (Issue Document Preservation Hold): Ensure all relevant electronic data and communications are preserved without spoliation.
- Step 3 (Engage in Pre-Indictment Negotiations): Counsel engages the Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) to assess targets, subjects, and witnesses.
- Step 4 (Queen for a Day Proffer Evaluation): Carefully evaluate the risks and immunity protections of a formal proffer session.