Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence Fact Sheet

What is the United States Attorney’s Office?

The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) is a component of the Department of Justice (DOJ) responsible for carrying out DOJ’s mission areas of upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights.  The work of the USAO involves litigating cases in which the United States is a party and providing leadership in preventing and reducing crime.  

Who leads the United States Attorney’s Office?

There are 93 USAOs throughout the United States and its territories, and each one is led by a United States Attorney.  United States Attorneys serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. United States Attorneys are Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed and they serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States.  Each United States Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer of the United States within his or her jurisdiction.

What do they do?

The following activities are carried out by the USAOs:

• Prosecute federal criminal cases;
• Provide assistance to victims of federal crimes;
• Litigate and defend civil cases in which the United States is a party; 
• Collect debts owed to the federal government that are administratively uncollectible;
• Increase public awareness about specific public safety issues; 
• Collaborate with agencies and organizations to prevent, reduce, and respond to public safety issues, including terrorism and targeted violence; and
• Provide information about DOJ federal grant opportunities and no-cost training and technical assistance.

In what ways do USAOs work to prevent terrorism and targeted violence?

The USAOs’ prosecution of terrorism and targeted violence activity has its own inherent deterrent effect.  More broadly, however, individual USAOs can also collaborate with other agencies and organizations to provide education and training to their local community, e.g., schools, houses of worship, private industry, that is geared toward helping stakeholders prevent, reduce, prepare for, and respond to acts of terrorism and targeted violence.  On a local level USAOs can also increase public awareness about federal grant opportunities that help state and local organizations and agencies prevent terrorism and targeted violence.

How can I connect with my United States Attorney’s Office?

To find your USAO, visit — Find Your United States Attorney.