When it comes to federal criminal investigations, it’s common to hear terms like target, subject and person of interest. Each of these terms refers to someone associated with a case in varying degrees.
Understanding the distinctions between these terms is essential because they can affect the course of an investigation, an individual’s rights and the legal obligations involved.
Target
A target in a federal investigation is the primary focus of the investigation. According to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) guidelines, a target is someone for whom substantial evidence links them to a crime.
In most cases, before formally notifying someone that they are a target, the government has accumulated extensive evidence against them through:
- Surveillance
- Interviews
- Analyzing the crime scene
When federal agents label someone as a target, it usually indicates they have gathered enough information to pursue this individual for criminal activity or to implicate them in a larger case.
Being identified as a target means that federal agents, and possibly the prosecution, believe there is probable cause to consider charging this person.
Subject
A subject in a federal investigation has a lesser degree of implication than a target but is still a key figure in the case. The DOJ describes a subject as someone whose conduct is within the scope of the grand jury’s investigation. This means the person has engaged in activities that may be connected to potential criminal conduct under investigation.
However, it is not yet clear whether they have committed a crime. Subjects are commonly individuals who could either transition into targets as more evidence is gathered or become witnesses if their involvement is minor or if they provide valuable information.
Person of interest
A person of interest is the most ambiguous designation and can often confuse the public. It is used to describe someone who may have information related to the investigation but isn’t suspected of any crime or wrongdoing at this point.
Law enforcement officials may identify someone as a person of interest if they believe the individual has insights, contacts or a relationship that might aid the investigation. A person of interest is not necessarily under any immediate suspicion or scrutiny; however, they can become a subject or target if further investigation implicates them.
Federal criminal investigations are complex, and these categories help officials clarify roles, assess evidence and potentially seek prosecution for someone’s alleged wrongdoing. Seeking legal help is wise for anyone under investigation, given the stakes of such situations.