United States Attorney

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United States Attorney

A United States Attorney (U.S. Attorney) is the chief federal law enforcement officer in a specific United States federal judicial district. U.S. Attorneys are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. They serve at the discretion of the President and can be removed from office by the President at any time. Each U.S. Attorney is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes, representing the United States in civil litigation, and handling appeals in their respective districts.

Responsibilities

U.S. Attorneys have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Prosecuting criminal cases brought by the federal government
• Prosecuting and defending civil cases in which the United States is a party
• Handling appeals of criminal and civil cases in which the United States is involved

They work closely with other federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), to investigate and prosecute federal crimes.

Structure

The United States is divided into 94 federal judicial districts, each with its own U.S. Attorney. These districts include at least one district in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Some states, such as California and New York, have multiple districts.

Each U.S. Attorney's Office is staffed by Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), who handle the day-to-day operations of the office. The number of AUSAs in each office varies depending on the size and workload of the district.

Appointment and Tenure

U.S. Attorneys are appointed by the President and must be confirmed by the Senate. They serve four-year terms but can be reappointed. However, they serve at the pleasure of the President and can be dismissed at any time.

Notable U.S. Attorneys

Several U.S. Attorneys have gone on to hold prominent positions in government and the judiciary. Notable examples include:

• Robert F. Kennedy, who served as U.S. Attorney General
• Rudy Giuliani, who served as the Mayor of New York City
• Preet Bharara, who became known for his high-profile prosecutions in the Southern District of New York

Related Pages

• United States Department of Justice
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• United States federal judicial district
• President of the United States
• United States Senate