United States Attorney facts for kids

United States Attorneys, also known as federal prosecutors, are important legal officials in the United States. They work for the federal government and represent its interests in court. Think of them as the government's lawyers.

What Are U.S. Attorneys?

U.S. Attorneys are special lawyers who work for the federal government. Their main job is to make sure federal laws are followed. They represent the government in legal cases. This means they might be involved in cases that affect the whole country.

They work in two main types of courts. These are U.S. district courts and U.S. courts of appeals. Their work helps keep the country's legal system running smoothly.

Where Do They Work?

There are 93 U.S. Attorneys across the United States. They also work in places like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Each U.S. Attorney leads an office with many other lawyers and staff. These offices are part of the United States Department of Justice.

A Bit of History

The job of the United States Attorney has a long history. The Office of the United States Attorney was created way back in 1789. This happened with a law called the Judiciary Act of 1789. This act helped set up the first federal court system in the U.S.