Major duties of a Deputy U.S. Marshal

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 3,950 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.

-Judicial Security-
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.

-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 950 requests every day to move prisoners between judicial districts, correctional institutions and foreign countries. JPATS completes more than 350,000 prisoner and alien movements annually via coordinated air and ground systems.

- 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 2010, the U.S. Marshals arrested more than 36,100 federal fugitive felons, clearing 39,100 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 81,000 state and local fugitives, clearing 108,200 state and local felony warrants. The Marshals currently leads 75 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.

- Prisoner Operations -
The Marshals Service houses over 63,000 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.

- 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.

- 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 manage nearly $3.9 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.

- 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 8,300 witnesses and more than 9,800 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.