The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is the nation’s
oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement agency. Federal
Marshals have served the country since 1789, often times in unseen
but critical ways. To this day, the Marshals occupy a uniquely
central position in the federal justice system. The USMS is the
enforcement arm of the federal courts, and as such, it is involved
in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative.
Presidentially appointed U.S. Marshals direct the activities of 94
districts — one for each federal judicial district. More than 3,843
Deputy Marshals and Criminal Investigators form the backbone of the
agency. Among their many duties, they apprehend more than half of
all federal fugitives, protect the federal judiciary, operate the
Witness Security Program, transport federal prisoners, conduct body
searches, enforce court orders and Attorney General orders involving
civil disturbances and acts of terrorism, execute civil and criminal
processes, and seize property acquired by criminals through illegal
activities.
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Career Opportunities
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Judicial Security |
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Protecting federal judicial officials — judges, attorneys and jurors
is a core mission for the U.S. Marshals. Deputy Marshals employ the
latest security techniques and devices during highly sensitive
trials throughout the nation.
Experienced former law enforcement officers, having served in
various capacities and specialties throughout their careers,
comprise the agency’s Court Security Officer (CSO) program. These
contracted CSOs receive limited deputations as special Deputy
Marshals and play a vital role in courthouse security. Using
security-screening systems, CSOs detect and intercept weapons and
other prohibited items that individuals attempt to bring into
federal courthouses. Senior Inspectors, Deputy Marshals and CSOs
provide security at facilities that house court operations. The
agency also oversees each aspect of courthouse construction
projects, from design through completion, to ensure the safety of
federal judges, court personnel and the public. |

Fact
Sheet: Judicial Security |
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Transporting Prisoners/JPATS |
In 1995, the U.S. Marshals and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement merged air fleets to create the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System — JPATS. The merger created an efficient and effective system for transporting prisoners and criminal
aliens.
Managed by the U.S. Marshals, JPATS is one of the largest transporters of prisoners in the world, handling more than
1,070 requests every day to move prisoners between judicial districts, correctional institutions and foreign countries. JPATS
completes more than 275,400 prisoner and alien movements annually via
coordinated air and ground systems. |

Fact Sheet:
Prisoner Transport |
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Fugitive
Operations |
The U.S. Marshals is the federal government’s primary agency for conducting fugitive investigations. The Marshals apprehend more federal fugitives than all other law enforcement agencies combined. In fiscal year 2014, the U.S. Marshals
arrested more than 33,700 federal fugitive felons, clearing 36,800
federal felony warrants – more than all other law enforcement agencies
combined.
Working with authorities at the federal,
state, and local levels, U.S. Marshals-led fugitive task forces arrested
more than 71,000 state and local fugitives, clearing 89,131 state and
local felony warrants. The Marshals currently leads 60 district fugitive
task forces and 7 regional fugitive task forces dedicated to locating and apprehending wanted criminals. The USMS has developed close working relationships with other law enforcement agencies on fugitive matters, and provides assistance, expertise and training to agencies on the
federal, state, local and international levels. |

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The USMS is the premier agency to apprehend foreign fugitives believed
to be in the United States, and it is the agency responsible for
locating and extraditing American fugitives, who flee to foreign
countries. In fiscal year 2014, the U.S. Marshals Service coordinated
883 extraditions/deportations.
In support of its international fugitive investigative mission, the USMS has established foreign field offices in Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The USMS also maintains successful law enforcement liaison programs along the borders of Mexico and Canada. Also, the USMS
enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and holds key positions at
Interpol. |
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Prisoner
Operations |
The Marshals Service houses over 55,000 detainees in federal, state,
local and private jails throughout the nation. In order to house these
pre-sentenced prisoners, the Marshals Service contracts with
approximately 1,800 state and local governments to rent jail space.
Seventy-five percent of the prisoners in Marshals Service custody are
detained in state, local and private facilities; the remainder are
housed in Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities. |

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Tactical
Operations |
Each year the USMS carries out hundreds of special missions related to its broad law enforcement authority and judicial security responsibilities. It also responds to homeland security crises and national emergencies.
The USMS Special Operations Group is a specially trained, tactical unit
comprised of Deputy Marshals, who can respond immediately to incidents
anywhere in the United States or its territories. |

Fact Sheet:
Tactical Operations |
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Asset Forfeiture |
The USMS is responsible for managing and disposing of seized and forfeited properties acquired by criminals through illegal activities. Under the auspices of the DOJ’s Asset Forfeiture Program, the Marshals
currently manage nearly $2.2 billion worth of property, and promptly
disposes of assets forfeited by all Department of Justice agencies. The Program’s goal is to maximize the net return from forfeited property and then reinvest the proceeds for law enforcement purposes. |

Fact Sheet:
Asset Forfeiture |
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Witness
Security |
The U.S. Marshals ensures the safety of witnesses, who risk their lives testifying for the government in cases involving organized crime and other significant criminal activities. Since 1971, the Marshals have protected, relocated and given new identities to more
than 8,500 witnesses and more than 9,900 of their family members.
The successful operation of the Witness Security Program has been
recognized as providing a unique and valuable tool in the government’s
battle against major criminal enterprises and international terrorism.
Witness Security Program personnel are the world’s leading authorities
and foremost experts on witness security matters, providing guidance and
training to numerous government officials throughout the world. |

Fact Sheet:
Witness Security
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