U.S. Department
of Justice
National Caseload Data
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Also see Documentation & Information below
Q. What is this data?
A. United States Attorney monthly case data is currently tracked in the Legal Information Office Network System (LIONS). This data is publicly released on a monthly basis under FOIA, except for certain fields, which are redacted pursuant to statutory exemptions noted in the Vaughn Index (below)
Q. How can I access the data?
A. The data is provided in a fixed length file format. Because each month's LIONS data typically comprises approximately 20 gigabytes, it is divided among several compressed files. Just right-click and save the data files you wish to download. Each compressed file will contain a readme file that will explain the layout of the files included in the download.
Q. How do I make sense of the data?
A. Please consult the Documentation and Explanatory Information (below), which are provided in PDF format:
- The Vaughn Index (i.e., Data Dictionary & Redaction Policies) defines the various fields contained in the LIONS data files and indicates which fields have been redacted in whole or part and, if so, the legal basis for redaction.
- The LIONS
User Manual and Appendix A explain the LIONS application and the meaning of the codes used in the data files. - The LIONS Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) depicts the relationship of the LIONS data files in graphical format.
Q. How often is this data updated?
A. The LIONS redacted data is uploaded on a monthly basis, approximately 60 days after the last day of the month. The last three months of data will be kept on the site.
Q. Is this the complete set of data from LIONS or just the changes that occurred during a particular month?
A. Each set of monthly LIONS files is the complete set of data from LIONS (minus any redactions noted in the Vaughn Index); i.e., each set includes not just the current month's data, but prior months' data as well.
Q. Additional Information?
A. Under Departmental regulations and related Justice Manual procedures, requests for U.S. Attorney information should be submitted to EOUSA's FOIA/PA Staff.
FAQs — DOCUMENTATION & EXPLANATORY INFORMATION
Vaughn Index (LIONS Data Dictionary & Redaction Policies)