Justice Department

Definition of Justice Department

Note: See a more comprehensive approach to the Justice Department legal concept in the American Law Encyclopedia

Executive department responsible for the enforcement of federal laws. The Justice Department was established by Congress in 1870. The head of the department is the Attorney General of the United States (more here), who, by virtue of office, is a member of the president's cabinet. Prior to 1870, the attorney general held cabinet rank, but did not head an executive department. The principal functions of the Justice Department are to enforce federal laws and provide legal counsel to the various agencies and officers of the federal government. The department houses the solicitor general, who is responsible for conducting all cases before the Supreme Court. The department is divided into a number of divisions. The criminal division is involved in criminal prosecutions, a function typically performed by federal prosecutors known as U.S. attorneys. The department also supervises the federal prison system and federal prisoner parole. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the national police agency, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are also located in the department. Other divisions include antitrust, civil, tax, and civil rights. The last is designed to provide effective enforcement of federal civil rights laws.

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