Federal & White Collar Defense Blog

Federal Criminal Defense

When Should You Hire a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer?

concerned businessman receiving federal notice via email

You should hire a federal criminal defense lawyer as soon as you learn you may be under federal investigation. Waiting until federal charges are filed can significantly limit opportunities to protect your rights, respond strategically to investigators, and shape the direction of the case before prosecutors make charging decisions. Whether you receive a federal target letter, grand jury subpoena, search warrant, or contact from federal agents, consulting a lawyer as soon as possible should be your priority.

You Do Not Need to Wait Until Charges Are Filed to Hire a Lawyer

Many assume that the time to hire a federal criminal defense attorney is after an arrest or indictment. In reality, federal criminal cases often begin quietly, without any formal notice that you are the focus, and are built over months or even years, long before charges are filed.

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What to Do After Receiving a Federal Target Letter

image of the federal government and flags

Receiving a federal target letter is a serious, urgent matter that should not be ignored. It does not guarantee you will be indicted, but a federal target letter is a formal notice issued by a United States Attorney’s Office that you are the focus of a criminal investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice. It is imperative that you retain a federal criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to understand your rights and develop a legal strategy to protect your reputation, freedom, and future.

What Is a Federal Target Letter?

A federal target letter is a formal communication from a United States Attorney’s Office informing an individual that they are considered a target of a federal criminal investigation. Federal investigations may involve white collar matters, public corruption, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, securities fraud, RICO offenses, money laundering, cybercrime, tax fraud, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, or other serious federal charges. 

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David Tarras Discusses Encrypted Messaging Apps and Federal Criminal Investigations on CBS12 News

Tarras Defense founder David Tarras recently appeared on CBS12 News (WPEC) to discuss a federal criminal case involving allegations that an encrypted messaging application was used to transmit and receive child sexual abuse material.

The case highlights a growing challenge in federal criminal investigations: the use of encrypted communications platforms and emerging technology. As messaging applications become more sophisticated, federal law enforcement agencies are devoting significant resources to understanding how these platforms operate, how digital evidence can be obtained, and how criminal activity conducted through encrypted channels can be investigated.

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