U.S. Department of Justice - technical definition

Established in June 1870, with the Attorney General at the helm. TodayÂ’s Attorney General heads 40 separate components, including attorneys representing the U.S. government in court; the Bureau of Prisons; the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and the U.S. Air Marshal Service. Although headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of Justice conducts many of its functions in locations throughout the United States and overseas.

The legal divisions within the U.S. Department of Justice enforce federal, civil, and criminal laws, particularly aspects relating to antitrust, civil justice, civil rights, the environment, and taxes. Both the Office of Justice Programs and the Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services act in a leadership capacity, providing relevant aid to state and local governments. Other components having critical roles include the Community Relations Service, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Justice Management Division, the National Drug Intelligence Center, the Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Trustees.

See Also: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).