Jonathan Lozano Criminal Law Final Research paper 11/11/2012

U.S Marshals For many years the U.S Marshals is one of oldest federal agency in the nation. They have been around since 1789. A U.S Marshals main duty is to protect and enforce the federal judicial system. You can say that they are the muscle behind the federal courts. They basically can enforce anything that has to do with the federal courts, ranging from arrest warrants witness protection. In a federal court the U.S Marshals provide protection for, federal judges, U.S attorneys, jurors, the visiting public and the jury. They also apprehend fugitives with arrest warrants and transport federal prisoners. The U.S Marshals apprehended over 36,000 federal fugitives of the law in the year 2007; this shows how much work a Marshal puts in every year. To become a U.S Marshal one is required to have experience in the field such as military or law enforcement, or have a bachelors degree in criminal justice and even then they still want someone with experience. It is not easy to become a U.S Marshal because they need people with a high level of performance, it makes it very difficult to become one. The hiring for U.S Marshals is very competitive compared to other federal agencies. Applicants must pass a written test, an oral board interview,

an extensive background investigation, a medical examination, a drug test, and multiple fitness exams even to even be considered for training. When a Marshal isnt working he/she must be on call at all times, every Marshal is issued a phone along with their weapon and badge. The firepower behind a Marshal must be at the level of the officer. Every Marshal is given glock 22 or glock 23 in .40 S&W caliber, they can also carry a hand gun of choice as long as it meets certain requirements given to them. They are also issued AR-15s and 12-guage shotguns to accompany them through more severe times. The U.S Marshals have their own unique special operation groups or SOG, that they call in when need to in the United States or even any of its territories. The SOG is a specially trained group of U.S Marshals that are highly tactical and disciplined unit ready to serve. These deputies must meet a very high level of physical and mental performance they are no pushovers. The group's missions include, apprehending fugitives, protecting dignitaries (a person in a high rank or government level), providing court security, transporting high profile and dangerous prisoners; providing witness security, and seizing assets. Something I didnt know about the U.S Marshals is that they are capable of deputizing any citizen to help them. In the old west it was referred to as rounding up a posse. Another fact about the marshals is that they are responsible for 52% arrest of federal fugitives.

To conclude, the U.S Marshals have protected our federal judicial system for many years now and have help apprehend most of the federal fugitives in the United States today. And for that I believe that they are the best federal agency the U.S has to offer. There high level physical and mental of training makes them even better along with variety of firepower to support them. This is why the U.S Marshals have been the strong arm of our federal judicial system for so long and I believe it will stay that way for an even longer amount of time.