Criminal Defense Lawyers

Texas Federal Target Letters

You Received a Federal Target Letter in Texas – Here’s What to Do

Understanding the Target Letter

Let’s start by breaking down what a federal target letter actually is:A target letter comes from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. It states you are the “target” of a federal criminal investigation – meaning prosecutors believe they have substantial evidence of your involvement in a crime.The letter will typically:

• Identify the federal statutes you allegedly violated
• Outline your constitutional rights, including the right to an attorney
• Invite you to testify before a grand jury investigating the case
• Warn that any statements you make can be used against you

It’s a daunting piece of correspondence. But remember – you haven’t been charged with a crime yet. The target letter represents a critical window to get a defense strategy in place.Here are a few key things to keep in mind about federal target letters:

The target letter signals the battle lines have been drawn. How you respond will be pivotal in determining whether charges are filed – or the investigation fizzles out.

The High Stakes of Federal Charges

Why is it so critical to take a target letter seriously and mount an aggressive defense right away? Because the consequences of federal charges are immense:

• Federal crimes typically carry harsh sentences, including decades in prison
• You’ll face enormous fines and penalties, including restitution and asset forfeiture
• A conviction creates a permanent criminal record, impacting employment, finances, and travel
• You may lose professional licenses or security clearances
• The stigma and reputational damage can be impossible to overcome

Even if you avoid prison time, the fallout from a federal conviction is devastating and long-lasting. That’s why you need to fight from the very start – before charges are even filed.

When Target Letters Arrive

Target letters often arise in investigations involving complex financial crimes, including:

• Fraud (healthcare, mortgage, securities, etc.)
• Money laundering
• Embezzlement
• Bribery
• Tax evasion
• Public corruption

They can also stem from investigations into other federal offenses like drug trafficking, racketeering, cyber crimes, and more.The timing of when a target letter arrives varies from case to case. Some common scenarios include:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

Load more

Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

• After investigators conduct interviews or make arrests of alleged co-conspirators
• When prosecutors are preparing to convene a grand jury
• Once a grand jury has been seated and is hearing evidence
• Just before prosecutors are ready to pursue an indictment

Regardless of when it comes, a target letter signals one thing – federal prosecutors believe they can prove you committed a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Your freedom is on the line.

What to Do When You Get a Target Letter

So what should your first steps be if you receive an ominous target letter from federal prosecutors? Here’s a quick overview:

1. Hire a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Immediately

This is the single most important thing you can do. Do not pass go, do not collect $200 – hire a lawyer now. Everything else hinges on this.

2. Follow Your Lawyer’s Advice to the Letter

Your attorney’s guidance is crucial from this point forward. Follow it exactly – do not take any action without their approval.

3. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

Do not say anything to investigators, even to proclaim your innocence. Anything you say can and will be twisted and used against you.

4. Preserve All Evidence

Do not destroy, delete, or tamper with any documents or electronic evidence in any way. This could lead to obstruction charges.

5. Cut Off All Communication About the Case

Tell nobody about the investigation or target letter, not even friends or family. Any statements could potentially be used as evidence.

6. Appear for Testimony Only Under Limited Circumstances

If summoned before a grand jury, do not testify unless your lawyer has secured limited immunity or other protections. The risks are too high.

7. Let Your Lawyer Negotiate

Allow your defense counsel to engage with prosecutors, propose proffers or plea deals, and advocate for your interests behind the scenes.

8. Prepare for Potential Charges

While your lawyer will fight to avoid charges, you also need to be prepared for the possibility of an indictment. Get your affairs in order just in case. The overarching strategy? Remain proactive while following your lawyer’s lead every step of the way. The moves you make now could make or break your ability to escape charges.

Building an Aggressive Defense Strategy

So what might an aggressive defense strategy look like for someone who received a target letter? It can involve several key components:

Demanding to See the Evidence

Your lawyer will invoke your constitutional rights to view the evidence the government claims to have against you. Analyzing this evidence is critical to poking holes in the prosecution’s case.

Filing Motions to Suppress Evidence

If any evidence was obtained illegally or in violation of your rights, your lawyer can file motions to suppress it and keep it out of court.

Seeking Dismissal of Charges

There are grounds to ask the court to dismiss charges entirely if the government’s case is deficient or based on misconduct. Your lawyer will identify every potential avenue.

Negotiating for Immunity or Non-Prosecution

In some cases, your lawyer may be able to negotiate for limited immunity or non-prosecution in exchange for your cooperation or a proffer.

Attacking the Prosecution’s Legal Theory

Your defense may involve poking holes in the prosecution’s legal theories and undercutting the elements required to prove the alleged crimes.

Rigorous Pre-Trial Preparation

If the case proceeds towards trial, your lawyer will leave no stones unturned in pre-trial preparation – from investigative work to mock trials and more.

Taking the Case to Trial

For cases that cannot be resolved pre-trial, your lawyer will be ready to mount a fierce defense and battle prosecutors before a jury to prove your innocence. The key is having a lawyer with the skills, resources, and experience to execute a multi-pronged defense strategy from the moment that target letter arrives. At Spodek Law Group, we’ve helped many clients avoid charges entirely after receiving target letters. And when cases have gone to trial, we’ve secured numerous acquittals in federal courts.

When the Feds Come Calling – A Hypothetical

To illustrate the gravity of receiving a target letter, let’s walk through a hypothetical scenario:You own a moderately successful medical equipment company in Houston. One morning, two federal agents show up at your door with a target letter claiming you are under investigation for healthcare fraud. The letter, from the local U.S. Attorney’s Office, states that prosecutors believe you intentionally overbilled Medicare and Medicaid for equipment and services rendered. It invites you to testify before a grand jury investigating the case.What do you do? Many people’s first instinct is to try and “explain it all” to the agents and prosecutors. But anything you say can easily be misconstrued and used against you.The far better approach is to:

1. Remain silent and invoke your 5th Amendment rights.
2. Hire an experienced federal healthcare fraud defense lawyer immediately.

Your lawyer can then contact the prosecutors, review the evidence, and get to work undercutting the allegations and poking holes in the case theory. Perhaps the billing errors were simply mistakes – not intentional fraud. Maybe the government is misinterpreting certain documents or evidence. Your lawyer will identify all potential defenses.They may seek to negotiate a non-prosecution agreement if you cooperate and pay back any overpayments received. Or they may advise you to testify before the grand jury – but only under a grant of limited immunity. The key is having a skilled legal advocate from the very start, executing a strategic defense to control the narrative and undermine the prosecution’s case theory. Without a lawyer’s guidance, you risk making self-incriminating statements or taking actions that inadvertently aid the prosecution. With the right lawyer, you can turn the tables and emerge unscathed before charges are even filed.

Why Hire a Private Federal Defense Firm?

When your liberty and future hang in the balance, you simply cannot rely on an overworked public defender to navigate the treacherous waters of a federal investigation. This is why hiring a private federal criminal defense firm is so crucial. At a private firm like Spodek Law Group, you get:

• A team of former federal prosecutors who know how the other side operates
• Lawyers with decades of experience battling federal charges in courtrooms nationwide
• A partner-level attorney who will personally lead your defense team
• Extensive resources for investigations, expert witnesses, mock trials, and more
• Undivided attention on your case – we’re not juggling hundreds of other cases
• Aggressive negotiation skills to pursue the best possible resolution
• Uncompromising advocacy at every stage, whether pursuing dismissal or taking the case to trial

When you hire our firm, you get a committed legal force leaving no stones unturned to protect your rights, reputation, and freedom. We understand the fear and uncertainty you’re facing with a target letter. But we also know how frequently we’ve helped clients escape charges entirely by getting out front and controlling the narrative. You have a choice – to be a victim of the system, or to fight back with everything you’ve got. We fight relentlessly because we’ve seen the devastation of federal convictions. Our mission is to shield you and your family from that fate.

The Bottom Line – You Need a Warrior on Your Side

Receiving a federal target letter is a jarring experience that can upend your life in an instant. The questions and uncertainty can feel overwhelming. But this is not the time to stick your head in the sand or try and navigate this legal minefield alone. Your freedom and future are at stake. You need a warrior on your side – a battle-tested federal criminal defense lawyer ready to attack the prosecution’s case from every angle. Someone who will leave no stones unturned in pursuing the most favorable resolution possible. At Spodek Law Group, that’s exactly what you get – elite legal representation from attorneys with decades of experience fighting federal charges nationwide. We see you not as a case number, but as a person whose life and liberty are on the line.When you become our client, you get:

• A team of former federal prosecutors who know how to dismantle the government’s tactics
• Extensive resources for investigations, mock trials, expert witnesses, and more
• A partner-level attorney who will personally lead your defense
• Aggressive negotiation to pursue pre-indictment resolutions like dismissals or non-prosecution agreements
• Uncompromising advocacy at every stage, whether pursuing dismissal or taking the case to trial

We fight tooth and nail because we’ve seen the devastation that federal convictions can bring. Our mission is to shield you and your family from that fate through relentless, strategic defense work. If you received a target letter in Texas, the stakes are too high to go it alone. Hire a warrior today – our federal criminal lawyers are ready to fight for your future. Call us for a free, confidential consultation. You can reach us at 212-210-1851 or schedule online.