Home > West's Encyclopedia of American Law > U.S. Marshals Service

The U.S. Marshals Service, a division of the JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, is the oldest federal law enforcement agency, having served as a link between the executive and judicial branches of the government since 1789. The president appoints U.S. marshals for terms of four years. The Senate must confirm the appointments, but the president has the power to remove marshals before the expiration of their terms.

The U.S. marshals are the chief law officers of the federal courts. A marshal is appointed for each of the 94 federal judicial districts in the United States. The U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL designates the marshal's office location in each district. The marshals direct the activities of approximately 4,000 officers and personnel stationed at more than 350 locations throughout the United...