Cunningham Memorial Library: Government Resources: Department of Justice

What is the Department of Justice (DOJ?)

The mission of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

Resources

Homepage

Accessibility

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

DOJ Archive

FBI's Most Wanted

FOIA

FOIA.gov The basic function of the Freedom of Information Act is to ensure informed citizens, vital to the functioning of a democratic society.

Grants The DOJ offers funding opportunities to support law enforcement and public safety activities in state, local, and tribal jurisdictions; to assist victims of crime; to provide training and technical assistance; to conduct research; and to implement programs that improve the criminal, civil, and juvenile justice systems.

Heroin and Opioid Awareness Resources

Internships

Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) Section is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which protects U.S. citizens and certain other work-authorized individuals from employment discrimination based upon citizenship or immigration status.

Justice Manual

Laws and Policies Concerning Hate Crimes The DOJ enforces federal hate crimes laws that cover certain crimes committed on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Is the nation’s largest and most influential child protection organization. 24-Hour Hotline 1-800-843-5678.

National Trafficking Hotline If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, there are resources to help. Please call 1-888-373-7888 to speak with a hotline advocate.

News From blogs, speeches, press releases, podcasts and videos.

Office on Violence Against Women Resources

OVC Help Series for Crime Victims Each brochure defines a type of victimization; discusses what to do if you are the victim of this crime; and provides national resources for more information and assistance on where to go for help.

Reentry Programs

Regulations.gov Enables public access to regulatory materials.

Resources From publications, reports, and frequently requested forms to case highlights, legal briefs, opinions and judicial orders.

Corrections

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Protects public safety by ensuring that federal offenders serve their sentences of imprisonment in facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient, and appropriately secure, and provide reentry programming to ensure their successful return to the community.

National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Is a center of learning, innovation and leadership that shapes and advances effective correctional practice and public policy.

Office of the Pardon Attorney (PARDON) Assists the President in the exercise of executive clemency. Under the Constitution, the President's clemency power extends only to federal criminal offenses. Executive clemency may take several forms, including pardon, commutation of sentence, remission of fine or restitution, and reprieve.

U.S. Parole Commission (USPC) The mission is to promote public safety and strive for justice and fairness in the exercise of its authority to release and revoke offenders under its jurisdiction.

Grants

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) The mission is to provide leadership and services in grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support state, local, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities.

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) The mission is to collect, analyze, publish, and disseminate information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government.

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Is responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation's state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.

National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development and evaluation agency of the DOJ. The Institute is dedicated to improving knowledge and understanding of crime and justice issues through science.

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime.

Office of Justice Programs (OJP) The mission is to increase public safety and improve the fair administration of justice across America through innovative leadership and programs.

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to youth delinquency and victimization.

Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering. and Tracking (SMART) The mission is to assist with implementation of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and provide assistance to criminal justice professionals across the entire spectrum of sex offender management activities needed to ensure public safety.

Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Is responsible for coordination with other departments, agencies, and offices regarding all activities authorized or undertaken under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and the Violence Against Women Act of 2000.

Initiatives, Projects & Tasks Forces

Elder Justice Initiative The mission is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults.

Executive Office of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) The mission is to reduce the supply of illegal drugs in the United States and diminish the violence and other criminal activity associated with the drug trade.

Hate Crimes DOJ works to prevent hate crimes by supporting community education and dialogue, and providing support, technical assistance, and funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies and service providers.

Heroin and Opioid Awareness The opioid crisis is the deadliest drug crisis in American history. DOJ is part of collaborative effort to raise awareness and develop strategies and solutions for affected communities.

Human Trafficking DOJ's anti-trafficking efforts include: investigations, prosecutions, services for victims, trainings, enforcement and outreach initiatives to strengthen anti-trafficking partnerships, innovative prevention efforts, capacity-building programs that advance survivor-centered anti-trafficking strategies, and grant funding to state, local, and tribal authorities and to non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Lawful Access Because of warrant-proof encryption, the government often cannot obtain the electronic evidence necessary to investigate and prosecute threats to public safety and national security, even with a warrant or court order.

Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) The mission is to help the justice system efficiently deliver outcomes that are fair and accessible to all, irrespective of wealth and status.

Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) The mission is to protect overburdened and underserved communities from the harm caused by environmental crimes, pollutions and climate change.

Open Government Directive Breaks down long-standing barriers between the Federal government and the people it serves.

Project Safe Childhood Is a unified and comprehensive strategy to combat child exploitation.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

Reducing Gun Violence DOJ is taking steps to help address gun violence affecting communities across the country.

Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Coordinates with DOJ components and federal agencies to build a comprehensive legal support and protection network focused on serving servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

Tribal Justice Safety In June 2009, the Justice Department announced the launch of a major new initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.

Law Enforcement

Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Protects the public from crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products; regulates lawful commerce in firearms and explosives; and provides worldwide support to law enforcement, public safety, and industry partners.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) The mission is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the U.S. and bring to the criminal and civil justice system those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) The mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

INTERPOL Washington The mission is to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation as the United States representative to INTERPOL on behalf of the Attorney General.

U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) The mission is to enforce federal laws and provide support to virtually all elements of the federal justice system by providing for the security of federal court facilities and the safety of judges and other court personnel. It is the nation's oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement service.

Leadership Agencies

Office of Attorney General This Office supervises and directs the administration and operation of the Department of Justice.

Office of the Deputy Attorney General This Office advises and assists the Attorney General in formulating and implementing Departmental policies and programs and in providing overall supervision and direction to all organizational units of the Department.

Office of the Associate Attorney General This Office advises and assists the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General in formulating and implementing Departmental policies and programs pertaining to a broad range of civil justice, federal and local law enforcement, and public safety matters.

Office or the Solicitor General (OSG) The mission is to represent the interests of the United States before the Supreme Court and to oversee appellate and certain other litigation on behalf of the United States in the lower federal and state courts.

Litigation Offices

Antitrust Division The mission is to promote competition in the U.S. economy through enforcement of, improvements to, and education about antitrust laws and principles.

Civil Division Represents the U.S. in any civil or criminal matter within its scope of responsibility – protecting the U.S. Treasury, ensuring that the federal government speaks with one voice in its view of the law, preserving the intent of Congress, and advancing the credibility of the government before the courts.

Civil Rights Division Enforces the laws prohibiting discrimination in education, employment, credit, housing, public accommodations and facilities, voting, and certain federally funded and conducted programs.

Criminal Division The mission is to serve the public interest through the enforcement of criminal statutes in a vigorous, fair, and effective manner.

Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) The mission is to enforce civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. It also involves the protection of natural resources and handling cases relating to tribal rights and resources.

National Security Division (NSD) The mission is to protect the United States from threats to our national security by pursuing justice through the law.

Tax Division The mission is to enforce tax laws fully, fairly, and consistently, through both criminal and civil litigation, in order to promote voluntary compliance with the tax laws, maintain public confidence in the integrity of the tax system, and promote the sound development of the law.

U.S. Attorney's Offices Charged with ensuring “that the laws be faithfully executed,” and work to enforce federal laws throughout the country.

U.S. Trustee Program To promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders – debtors, creditors, and the public.

Management and Administration

Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Through CTAS, federally-recognized tribes and tribal consortia are able to submit a single application for most of the Justice Department’s tribal grant programs.

Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) The primary mission is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation’s immigration laws.

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Provides executive and administrative support for the 93 United States Attorneys located throughout the 50 states and territories. Such support includes legal education, administrative oversight, technical support, and the creation of uniform policies, among other responsibilities.

Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Requires persons working on behalf of foreign governments or other foreign principals (including Americans) to disclose their relationships to foreign principals and information about their activities.

Justice Management Division (JMD) The mission is to provide advice to senior management officials relating to basic Department policy for budget and financial management, personnel management and training, procurement, equal employment opportunity, information processing, telecommunications, security, and all matters pertaining to organization, and administration.

Office of Attorney and Recruitment & Management (OARM) The DOJ is the world's largest law office, employing more than 9,200 attorneys. OARM is also the Department's adjudicative office in FBI Whistleblower cases.

Office of Information Policy (OIP) Is responsible for encouraging agency compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) The mission is to assist the Attorney General in carrying out his/her statutory responsibility of furnishing legal advice to the President and the heads of the executive and military departments, and to provide legal advice and assistance to other DOJ components upon request.

Office of Legal Policy (OLP) The mission is to develop and implement the Department’s significant policy initiatives, handle special projects that implicate the interests of multiple Department components, coordinate with other interested Department components and other Executive Branch agencies, and serve as the primary policy advisor to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General.

Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties (OPCL) The principle mission of OPCL is to protect the privacy and civil liberties of the American and assisting developing Departmental privacy policy and refining Department policies relating to the protection of civil liberties of individuals.

Media and Community Outreach

Community Relations Service (CRS) Helps communities develop strategies to prevent and respond to violent hate crimes committed on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.

Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) Articulates the Department's position on legislation proposed by Congress, facilitates the appearance of Department witnesses at congressional hearings, and manages the interagency clearance process led by the Office of Management and Budget.

Office of Public Affairs (OPA) The mission is to coordinate the relations of the DOJ with the news media and serve as the center for information about all organizational units of the Department.

Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ) Is the primary point of contact for the Department of Justice with federally recognized Native American tribes, and advises the Department on legal and policy matters pertaining to Native Americans.

Oversight

Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct by Department of Justice attorneys that relate to the exercise of their authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice; and to investigate allegations of misconduct by law enforcement personnel when they are related to allegations of misconduct by attorneys within the jurisdiction of OPR.

Professional Responsibility Advisory Office (PROA) The mission is to ensure prompt, consistent advice to Department attorneys and Assistant United States Attorneys with respect to professional responsibility issues.

Office of the Inspector General (OIG) The mission is to promote integrity, efficiency, and accountability within DOJ. The OIG investigates alleged violations of criminal and civil laws by employees and also audits and inspects programs.

Special Counsel's Office: The Attorney General has the authority to appoint Special Counsels to conduct criminal investigations and possible prosecutions.

Jack Smith

John Durham

Robert K. Hur

Victim Services

9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) Was created to provide compensation for any individual (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who suffered physical harm or was killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001 or the debris removal efforts that took place in the immediate aftermath of those crashes.

Foreign Claims Settlement Commission (FCSC) The mission is to adjudicate claims against foreign governments for losses and injuries sustained by United States nationals, pursuant to programs authorized by statute or under international agreements.

National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Works to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for the victims of such fraud.

Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism (DOJ/OVT) Supports U.S. victims of terrorism overseas by helping them navigate foreign criminal justice systems and by advocating for their voices to be heard around the world.

U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund) Provides compensation to certain U.S. persons who were injured in acts of international state-sponsored terrorism.

U.S. Victims of Terrorism Abroad Task Force Coordinates and enhances the U.S. government response when an act of international terrorism affects U.S. citizens overseas.