why did i get a letter from the district attorney

by Dr. Roberta Gislason DVM 7 min read

In other cases the DA's office may send a letter to the persons last known address advising them there is a charge that has been filed and tell them to appear in court on a given date. When a case is filed with the District Attorney's Office, a letter is generated to all victims/witnesses on the witness list from the police report.

Full Answer

Is it scary to receive a letter from the US Attorney’s office?

It is scary to receive a letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. No one knows this better than the former federal prosecutors at Oberheiden, P.C. who have previously worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

What is a target letter from the US Attorney Office?

A “target letter” is another type of letter that can be issued from the United State’s Attorney’s Office. Target letters inform the recipients that they are the target of a federal investigation, which means that the government intends to press civil or criminal charges against that person.

What to do if you receive a target letter from the government?

Whether you receive a target letter, a grand jury subpoena, or any other correspondence, you should immediately consult with the best federal defense lawyers–– they are familiar with the federal justice process and have the experience to assist and defend you. What Is the United States Attorney’s Office?

Why do I keep getting letters from assistant US Attorneys?

This is a result of the fact that the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who issue the letters often copy the requests directly from federal investigators who have never attended law school.

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What does it mean if you get a letter from an attorney?

A lawyer letter is exactly what it sounds like – a letter from a lawyer indicating the lawyer represents one of your former (or potentially current) employees who is asserting certain claims against the company.

Why would the Department of Justice be sending me a letter?

Are You A Target Or Are You A Subject? The Department of Justice customarily sends target letters to individuals who are the target of a grand jury investigation and to those who are the subject of a grand jury investigation.

Why do prosecutors send target letters?

Prosecutors use target letters mainly to encourage unrepresented targets to retain counsel and begin plea or cooperation discussions. For the most part, prosecutors do not expect targets to testify even if subpoenaed.

What does the US attorney general investigate?

The Attorney General's responsibilities include safeguarding Californians from harm and promoting community safety, preserving California's spectacular natural resources, enforcing civil rights laws, and helping victims of identity theft, mortgage-related fraud, illegal business practices, and other consumer crimes.

How do you know if the feds are investigating you?

Probably the second most common way people learn that they're under federal investigation is when the police execute a search warrant at the person's house or office. If the police come into your house and execute a search warrant, then you know that you are under investigation.

Why would the states attorney send me a letter?

If the government is locked in on you and they feel as though sufficient evidence exists against you, a target letter could be a way to get you to negotiate a plea now in order to resolve your case so that you can avoid being indicted.

How long can the Feds target someone?

For most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years. Bank fraud has a statute of limitations of ten years. Immigration violations and arson are also subject to a ten year limit. Kidnapping also has a limit of ten years, or the child's lifetime, whichever is longer.

What does it mean to be a target of an investigation?

The term “target of an investigation” is also specifically defined by the DOJ. A “target” is a person to whom the prosecutor or Grand Jury has substantial evidence linking him or her to the commission of a crime and who, in the judgment of the prosecutor, is a putative defend-ant.

Who sends a target letter?

According to the law of the United States, a person receives a target letter when a U.S. attorney has "substantial evidence linking him or her to the commission of a crime". The same legal technique may be used by county prosecutors in some jurisdictions.

What does the district attorney do?

What is a District Attorney? The district attorney analyzes and gathers evidence to determine if there are grounds for criminal prosecution of cases within their districts and presents cases at trial.

What is a US district attorney?

Primary tabs. A district attorney is a public official who is appointed or elected to represent the state in criminal judicial proceedings in a particular judicial district or county; an appointed or elected officer who prosecutes cases in a particular judicial district.

How long can the FBI hold you without charging you?

Unlike other states that have 72-hour time limits, the state of California requires that every person arrested receive a charge or be let go within 48 hours of the arrest. A person that is arrested for any reason must be brought before a judge within 48 hours of arrest at the very latest.

What issues does the Department of Justice deal with?

The Department of Justice enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice.

What's a federal target letter?

It is a letter from the federal prosecutor informing the recipient that they believe he or she has committed a crime or has information on a crime committed. Generally, the target letter will inform the recipient of many things, including, but not limited to: The crime they believe the recipient to have committed.

What is a target of an investigation?

The term “target of an investigation” is also specifically defined by the DOJ. A “target” is a person to whom the prosecutor or Grand Jury has substantial evidence linking him or her to the commission of a crime and who, in the judgment of the prosecutor, is a putative defend-ant.

What is the purpose of a target letter?

A target letter is the means by which the federal government informs individuals that they are targets for criminal prosecution. In the simplest terms, it means the federal prosecutor believes the recipient has committed a crime.

What do federal prosecutors do?

Usually, federal agents will handle investigative tasks, such as interviewing witnesses or executing search warrants, and then the United States Attorney’s Office will rely on those investigative efforts of the federal agents to build a case for trial.

What is a business records affidavit?

The Business Records Affidavit is a legal mechanism through which the recipient authenticates the documents provided for use in future legal proceedings. By signing the Business Records Affidavit and having it notarized, the recipient attests that the documents provided are true and correct copies of the original documents and that the documents are kept in the normal course of business.

Why do federal prosecutors resemble sharks?

Federal prosecutors sometimes resemble sharks, because they are frequently unwilling to abandon even fruitless investigations unless they draw some blood. Fortunately, we know how to handle these types–– in fact, many of our clients have been shocked to learn that their investigations have been closed with zero civil or criminal liability. Still, others have been pleasantly surprised when what was once an existential threat is transformed into a manageable inconvenience.

What is the criminal division?

The criminal division prosecutes criminal cases. While most criminal cases are handled in state courts rather than in federal courts, the types of criminal cases prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office include white collar fraud, Medicare fraud, drug trafficking, tax evasion, and immigration crimes.

How many years do you have to work for a company to be considered a proper employer?

Proper: For each employer for whom you have worked within the past five years, documents evidencing the name and address of each officer, director, or manager of those employers and documents evidencing each person’s position.

What is the federal law on subpoenas?

Federal law limits the types of requests that the U.S. Attorney’s Office can make and the scope of the documentation that it can request. Nevertheless, the requests contained in civil investigative demands and grand jury subpoenas often exceed the appropriate boundaries of what can be asked for.

What is a target letter?

Another type of letter that can be issued from the United States Attorney’s Office is a “target letter.”. Target letters inform the recipients that they are the target of a federal investigation, which means that the government intends to press civil or criminal charges against that person.

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