What to do if you get a target letter

What should you do first?

Find the deadline in the letter and write it down. Most target letters ask your lawyer to contact the prosecutor within days, and missing that window can cost you options.

What kind of lawyer do you need?

Look for a lawyer who handles federal criminal cases and grand jury investigations. Ask how many federal investigations they have handled, how they would approach yours, and what it will cost. Todd and Julie Chrisley say they wish they had questioned their lawyers harder at the start. Many criminal defendants feel the same.

Should you talk to the prosecutor or federal agents yourself?

No. Anything you say can be used against you, and you have the right to decline an interview. If agents call or come to your door, give them your lawyer’s name. As Todd Chrisley put it on TARGET: “Don’t talk to them. You don’t owe them that. You don’t have to speak to them. You tell them to speak to your attorney.”

What should you do with your documents and messages?

Keep everything exactly as it is: Do not delete or alter any emails, texts, files, or paper records. Deleting or changing records after you learn of an investigation can be a separate federal crime, even if the original allegations go nowhere.

Who can you talk to about it?

Your lawyer. Conversations with friends, coworkers, and business partners are not protected, and those people can be called as witnesses. Stay off social media about the case.

Should you sign anything the government sends?

Not until your own lawyer explains it and you understand the tradeoffs. That includes agreements to extend the statute of limitations. The Chrisleys signed one with four days left on the clock, and Todd calls it one of their biggest regrets.

What happens after your lawyer contacts the prosecutor?

Your lawyer will try to learn what the investigation is about and how strong the government’s case is. Depending on the facts, the next steps might include presenting information to show why you should not be charged, a proffer meeting, or plea negotiations. Some investigations close with no charges at all.