U.S. Marshals Service

Agency

Justice Department agency charged with carrying out all law enforcement activities relating to the federal justice system. The Marshals Service provides security for the federal courts, apprehends federal fugitives, operates the federal witness protection program, maintains custody of and transports federal prisoners, executes court orders and arrest warrants, receives and manages property forfeited to the government by drug traffickers and other federal offenders, and participates in emergency response and other crisis situations. It is the nation's oldest federal law enforcement agency, having been established in 1789.