U.S. Attorneys Do Not Prosecute Many Suspected Violators of Federal Laws

United States Attorneys are the chief law enforcement representatives of the Attorney General in 94 federal judicial districts throughout the country. U.S. Attorneys handle a wide variety of litigation for the government, ranging from prosecution of federal criminal violations to representing the United States in environmental suits and other litigation. In addition, U.S. attorneys develop and investigate cases before grand juries and provide advice and assistance to enforcement and regulatory agencies. Because of increased crime and limited staff resources, far more criminal complaints are received than can be prosecuted, and the U.S. attorneys must decide which cases to prosecute and which to decline.