United States Marshals Service

Law enforcement agency

Common name
Abbreviation
Motto
Formed	September 24, 1789
Preceding agency
Dissolved
Superseding agency
Employees	3,953 (2020)

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The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice. It is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the United States, established under the Judiciary Act of 1789.

History

The USMS was established on September 24, 1789, with the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789. The first United States Marshals were appointed by President George Washington. The primary mission of the USMS was to support the federal courts and ensure the effective operation of the judicial system.

Responsibilities

The USMS has a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Protecting the federal judiciary
• Apprehending federal fugitives
• Managing and transporting federal prisoners
• Executing federal court orders
• Seizing and managing assets acquired by criminals through illegal activities
• Operating the Witness Security Program (WITSEC)

Structure

The USMS is headed by a Director, who is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The Director oversees the operations of the USMS and reports to the Deputy Attorney General.

The USMS is divided into 94 districts, each corresponding to a United States district court. Each district is headed by a United States Marshal, who is also appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Marshals are responsible for the day-to-day operations within their respective districts.

Notable Operations

The USMS has been involved in several high-profile operations, including:

• The apprehension of James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr.
• The capture of Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber
• The enforcement of desegregation orders during the Civil Rights Movement

Related Pages

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• United States Secret Service
• Federal law enforcement in the United States
• United States Department of Justice

See Also

• List of United States federal law enforcement agencies
• Law enforcement in the United States
• Judiciary Act of 1789
• Witness Security Program

External Links

• Official website of the United States Marshals Service

United States