To define a legal term, enter a word or phrase below. The prosecutor usually offers one of three answers, saying that the person is either (1) a witness, (2) a subject, or (3) a target. How this leader is classified often determines how she and her lawyer interact with prosecutors and agents. Britannica English: Translation of the target for Arabic speakers At the other end of the spectrum is someone who is classified as a “target”. When a prosecutor considers someone a target, it means that the government believes there is substantial evidence that a person has committed a crime. A person is usually only named as a target if prosecutors are willing to lay charges. As a result, a person identified as a target is much more likely to adopt a contradictory attitude towards investigators, assert their right to self-incrimination and refuse to cooperate. Middle English, Middle French targette, targuete, diminutive of targe light shield, Old French, of Germanic origin; Much like the Old Norse Targa shield, prosecutors are not required by law to tell individuals where they stand in the investigation, but Justice Department policy requires a prosecutor to inform a subject or target of their rights when testifying before the grand jury. If a person is the target of the grand jury`s investigation, the prosecution can inform that person of their status through a “target letter” and give them an opportunity to testify before the grand jury before laying charges. These sample phrases are automatically selected from various online information sources to reflect the current use of the word “target”. The views expressed in the examples do not represent the views of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us your feedback. A “subject” sits between a witness and a target.
For a federal prosecutor, a subject is a person whose conduct is part of a grand jury investigation. This usually means that the government views the subject`s behavior as suspicious and that there is a risk that the subject will be involved in illegal activities. It is important to remember that these classifications are fluid. They are subject to change at any time and are not binding on the government. Classification is nothing more than the government`s opinion of a particular individual at that time based on the information and evidence available to it. At one end of the spectrum is a “witness.” A witness may have information that the government considers important to its investigation. She shouldn`t really have seen or witnessed a crime. Generally, prosecutors do not believe that a witness has committed a crime.
Because the risk of criminal responsibility is low, a witness can often choose to cooperate with investigators and be willing to testify before the grand jury or sit down for an interview with officers. A federal criminal investigation can involve many different people. Not everyone interviewed by an officer is suspected of wrongdoing. Not everyone who testifies before a grand jury ends up being charged. But when an executive receives a visit from agents or a subpoena to testify before the grand jury, how does he know where he stands? Sometimes you just have to ask.