Jonah Patel
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the largest justice department in the US. It is the world's largest law office, employing more than 9,200 attorneys and over 100,000 staff in total. The DOJ enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice. It is led by the Attorney General of the United States, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The DOJ has a broad range of responsibilities, including civil rights, national security, and public safety. It also oversees several federal law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Formation | 1870 |
| Functions date back to | 1789 |
| Controlled by | Attorney General of the United States |
| Number of Component Organizations | More than 40 |
| Number of Employees | More than 115,000 |
| Number of Attorneys | More than 9,200 |
| Headquarters | Robert F. Kennedy Building, Washington, D.C. |
| Field Offices | All states and territories of the US and more than 50 countries |
| Mission | To uphold the rule of law, keep the country safe, and protect civil rights |
| Agencies | Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Prisons, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals Service |
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What You'll Learn
The Department of Justice's history
The Department of Justice (DOJ) was created in 1870 during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Its functions, however, date back to 1789 when the Judiciary Act established the office of the Attorney General. The Attorney General initially served as a part-time legal advisor to the U.S. Congress and the President. Over time, the role evolved, and by 1819, the Attorney General advised Congress exclusively to manage their workload effectively.
In the early years, the Attorney General's salary was less than that of other Cabinet members, prompting early incumbents to supplement their income by running private law practices. This changed with the "Act to Establish the Department of Justice," which significantly expanded the Attorney General's responsibilities. These now included overseeing all U.S. attorneys, prosecuting federal crimes, and representing the U.S. in court, barring the use of private attorneys by the federal government. The Act also established the Solicitor General's office to oversee and conduct government litigation before the Supreme Court.
The Department of Justice's initial purpose was to protect civil rights. During the Grant administration, the department prosecuted members of domestic terrorist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, who opposed the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments through violence and litigation. By 1871, there were 3000 indictments and 600 convictions, with ringleaders serving up to five years in prison.
Today, the DOJ, led by the Attorney General, is composed of over 40 separate organisations and more than 100,000 employees, including attorneys, special agents, and staff. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with field offices across the U.S. and in over 50 countries. The DOJ enforces federal laws, pursues just punishment, and ensures fair and impartial justice administration. It includes agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The DOJ also had a War Division, established during World War II and disbanded in 1945.
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The Attorney General's role
The Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice and the principal legal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters. The Attorney General is also a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States and a member of the United States National Security Council.
In addition, the Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters, including appearing in person before the Supreme Court in matters of exceptional gravity or importance. The Attorney General also advises the president on appointments to federal judicial positions and Department of Justice roles, including U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals.
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The Department's structure
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the world's largest law office, employing more than 9,200 attorneys and more than 100,000 staff in total, including special agents. It is led by the Attorney General of the United States, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Attorney General's role was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789 and originally served as a part-time legal advisor to the U.S. Congress and the President. Since 1819, the Attorney General has only advised Congress.
The Department of Justice is composed of more than 40 separate component organisations, with field offices in every US state and territory, as well as in over 50 countries worldwide. Its headquarters are at the Robert F. Kennedy Building in Washington, D.C.
The Department of Justice's mission is to uphold the rule of law, keep the country safe, and protect civil rights. It enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice. The DOJ is responsible for supervising and directing the administration and operation of several federal law enforcement agencies, including:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Bureau of Prisons
- Office of Justice Programs
- U.S. Marshals Service
- U.S. Attorneys
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The Department's functions
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the largest justice department in the US. It was created in 1870 during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant and is composed of more than 40 separate component organizations and over 115,000 employees, including more than 9,200 attorneys. The DOJ is headed by the Attorney General of the United States, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The DOJ's component organizations include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Bureau of Prisons, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals Service. The Tax Division within the DOJ is responsible for enforcing tax laws, while the DEA focuses on enforcing controlled substances laws and regulations. The FBI, as a member of the Intelligence Community, has a broad mandate to address criminal and national security threats.
Additionally, the DOJ oversees the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals, which review decisions made under Immigration and Nationality law. The department also created LifeAndLiberty.gov, a website supporting the USA PATRIOT Act, and JMD, which aims to strengthen the department's capacity to achieve its goals and maximize the return on program investments.
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The Department's enforcement agencies
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the world's largest law office, employing more than 9,200 attorneys and over 100,000 staff in total, including special agents. The department is led by the Attorney General of the United States, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Attorney General provides legal advice to the President and Cabinet and represents the United States in federal criminal and civil litigation.
The DOJ is responsible for enforcing federal laws, seeking just punishment for the guilty, and ensuring the fair and impartial administration of justice. It is composed of more than 40 separate component organizations, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Bureau of Prisons, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals Service.
The FBI is a national security and law enforcement agency with broad authority to address criminal and national security threats to the United States. Its mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. The DEA enforces controlled substances laws and regulations, bringing those involved in the illicit drug trade to justice and supporting non-enforcement programs to reduce the availability of illicit drugs.
The ATF, another enforcement agency within the DOJ, protects the public from crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products. It also regulates lawful commerce in firearms and explosives and provides worldwide support to law enforcement, public safety, and industry partners.
The DOJ also includes the Tax Division, which enforces the nation's tax laws through criminal and civil litigation, promoting voluntary compliance and maintaining public confidence in the integrity of the tax system. The United States Trustees Program, another division within the DOJ, works to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of debtors, creditors, and the public.
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Frequently asked questions
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the largest justice department in the US. It is composed of more than 40 separate component organizations and over 100,000 employees, including attorneys, special agents, and other staff.
The Department of Justice enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice. It is responsible for upholding the rule of law, keeping the country safe, and protecting civil rights.
The Department of Justice has a broad range of responsibilities, including overseeing federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and the Bureau of Prisons. It also includes the United States Marshals Service, the Tax Division, and the Office of Justice Programs. The DOJ has prosecuted cases related to national security, sex trafficking, and the unlawful concealment of individuals.
