United States Attorney facts for kids
United States attorneys are important government lawyers who work for the U.S. Department of Justice. They are the main federal law enforcement officers in different areas across the United States. Think of them as the chief federal legal representatives in their specific regions.
Each U.S. attorney leads the effort to handle federal legal cases in their area. They also represent the U.S. federal government in other legal matters in federal and state courts. The President chooses each U.S. attorney, and the Senate must approve them. They usually serve for four years.
There are 93 U.S. attorneys working in 94 offices across the United States. These offices are also in places like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. One U.S. attorney is in charge of each area, except for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which share one U.S. attorney.
These U.S. attorneys oversee offices with many other lawyers called assistant U.S. attorneys (AUSAs) and support staff. Assistant U.S. attorneys are government lawyers who work on federal legal cases. They also represent the federal government in civil cases where the United States is involved. They gather information and bring cases to court when federal laws have been broken.
U.S. attorneys and their offices are part of the Department of Justice. They get guidance and support from the Executive Office for United States Attorneys within the Justice Department.
Contents
How the Office Started
The job of a United States Attorney began a long time ago, with the Judiciary Act of 1789. This act also created the job of the Attorney General and set up the federal court system. So, the U.S. Attorney's office is even older than the Department of Justice itself!
The law from 1789 said that a "Person learned in the law" should be appointed in each area. Their job was to handle cases where federal laws had been broken and other legal matters involving the United States. Before the Department of Justice was created in 1870, U.S. attorneys worked more independently. After 1870, they started working under the Attorney General's guidance.
Choosing a U.S. Attorney
The president of the United States chooses U.S. attorneys for a four-year term. The Senate must then approve these choices. A U.S. attorney stays in their job until a new person is chosen and ready to take over. The President can also remove a U.S. attorney from their position.
Sometimes, when a U.S. attorney's position is empty, the Attorney General has the power to appoint a temporary U.S. attorney. This helps make sure the work continues without interruption.
What U.S. Attorneys Do
A U.S. attorney is the main leader and representative for their office in a specific district. Their office is responsible for handling federal legal cases for the United States. They also represent the United States in civil cases, whether the government is bringing the case or being sued.
As the top federal law enforcement officers in their areas, U.S. attorneys work closely with federal law enforcement agencies. This includes agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. They also cooperate with other agencies, such as the United States Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to handle cases that fall under their legal areas.
The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia has an extra job. They also handle local legal cases in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. This court is like a local city court for the nation's capital.
Support for U.S. Attorneys
The Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) helps all 93 U.S. attorneys and their 94 offices. This office provides important support services, including:
- General help and guidance.
- Developing policies and rules.
- Managing administrative tasks.
- Providing operational support.
- Working with other parts of the United States Department of Justice and other federal agencies.
These responsibilities include legal, budget, and personnel services, as well as training for the lawyers.
The EOUSA was created in 1953. Its purpose is to keep a strong connection between the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and all the U.S. attorneys across the country and its territories.
Images for kids
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Map showing the areas covered by the United States courts of appeals and United States District Courts.
See also
- United States Attorney General
- United States Department of Justice
- Law officers of the Crown
