A federal investigation into criminal activity has begun and your name has come up – whether as a target, subject or witness.
What that means for you can vary greatly depending upon how you are described. Here are the basics about your vulnerability to charges right now:
If you’re a target, the prosecutor is focused on you
You may receive notice that you are the target of an investigation or a grand jury. If so, the prosecutor believes that there’s credible evidence that you’re guilty of a crime, and they intend to charge you – although they may not be immediately clear about what those charges may be.
If you’re a subject, the prosecutor may still come after you
A subject is not the focus of an investigation, but they certainly are not out of legal danger. In general, subjects are people who are believed to be involved in criminal activity, but they simply are not the prosecutor’s primary focus.
If you’re a witness, the prosecutor thinks you have information
Of the three labels mentioned here, this is definitely the best position to be in, but it does not mean you are entirely without risk. In general, being named a witness means that the prosecutor believes you have evidence that will support their theory of the crime, but they do not think you are guilty of criminal activity yourself.
Unfortunately, no matter where you fall on this list, you would be smart to seek legal guidance. Your status can quickly change as new information unfolds throughout an investigation and the prosecutor’s priorities shift.