United States Attorney: Role, Organization, and History

Principal federal prosecutors who represent the United States in district and appellate courts. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, they supervise local offices handling criminal and civil federal matters.

Overview

A United States Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer and civil litigator for a federal judicial district. U.S. Attorneys represent the federal government in U.S. district courts and, when cases proceed on appeal, in the federal courts of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys serving the states and certain territories, including Puerto Rico and other insular areas.

Primary duties

The responsibilities of a U.S. Attorney include both criminal and civil work. In criminal matters they prosecute violations of federal law, coordinate with investigative agencies, and determine whether to bring charges. In civil matters they defend the United States against lawsuits, pursue affirmative claims on behalf of the government, and handle matters such as asset forfeiture and debt collection. U.S. Attorneys set local enforcement priorities and supervise Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff.

Appointment, tenure and accountability

U.S. Attorneys are nominated by the President and must be confirmed by the Senate. They are appointed for four-year terms but typically serve at the pleasure of the President and may be replaced at any time. While they exercise substantial discretion in charging and litigation decisions, they operate under the authority of the Attorney General and departmental policies issued by the Department of Justice.

Organization and relationships

Each U.S. Attorney heads a U.S. Attorney’s Office that employs Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs), paralegals, investigators, and administrative personnel. Offices work closely with federal investigative agencies such as the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and others to investigate and prosecute complex crimes. They also coordinate with state and local prosecutors on matters that implicate multiple jurisdictions and may refer civil or criminal matters to or from other agencies.

Jurisdiction and presence

U.S. Attorneys operate in federal judicial districts across the nation and in several territories. The office created by the Judiciary Act of 1789 has evolved as federal jurisdiction and statutory responsibilities expanded. Offices in territories such as Puerto Rico and other districts, including offices that serve insular areas like Guam, apply federal law in local courts and manage region-specific enforcement priorities.

Practice and public role

Beyond courtroom litigation, U.S. Attorneys engage in community outreach, victim services, and public education about federal laws. They may refer appellate issues or specialized litigation to the Solicitor General or other DOJ components and coordinate multi-district investigations and prosecutions. For organizational context and official materials, readers can consult departmental resources and district pages or follow links to central organizational information and court resources (see organizational links).