Assistant United States Attorney

Assistant United States Attorney is a federal prosecutor who works under the United States Department of Justice and is responsible for enforcing federal laws and prosecuting cases in United States federal courts. The role of an Assistant United States Attorney is crucial in upholding the law and ensuring justice is served, as seen in high-profile cases such as the Enron scandal and the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme, which were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys from the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York. Assistant United States Attorneys work closely with Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, Drug Enforcement Administration agents, and other law enforcement agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission, to investigate and prosecute crimes. They also collaborate with other government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Treasury, to enforce federal laws and regulations.

● Introduction

The position of Assistant United States Attorney was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created the office of the United States Attorney. The role of an Assistant United States Attorney has evolved over time, with significant changes occurring during the New Deal era, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation was expanded and the United States Department of Justice was reorganized. Today, Assistant United States Attorneys play a critical role in enforcing federal laws, including those related to national security, cybercrime, and white-collar crime, as seen in cases involving Al-Qaeda, Wikileaks, and Enron. They work in United States Attorneys' offices across the country, including the Central District of California, the Northern District of Illinois, and the District of Columbia. Assistant United States Attorneys have prosecuted notable cases, including the Watergate scandal, the Iran-Contra affair, and the 9/11 attacks, which were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys from the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of Virginia.

● Role and Responsibilities

Assistant United States Attorneys are responsible for investigating and prosecuting federal crimes, including terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and public corruption. They work closely with law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service, to gather evidence and build cases. Assistant United States Attorneys also advise law enforcement agencies on legal matters and provide guidance on investigative techniques, as seen in cases involving RICO and money laundering. They appear in court to argue cases, examine witnesses, and present evidence, as seen in high-profile trials such as the O.J. Simpson murder case and the Martha Stewart insider trading case, which were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys from the Central District of California and the Southern District of New York. Assistant United States Attorneys must also stay up-to-date with changes in the law and developments in their area of specialty, such as cybercrime and intellectual property law, as seen in cases involving Google and Apple Inc..

● Appointment and Qualifications

To become an Assistant United States Attorney, one must be appointed by the United States Attorney General or a United States Attorney. Typically, candidates must have a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school, such as Harvard Law School or Yale Law School, and be a member of the bar in good standing. They must also have significant experience in litigation, preferably in a federal prosecutor's office or a private law firm, such as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom or Kirkland & Ellis. Many Assistant United States Attorneys have worked as law clerks for federal judges, such as Supreme Court of the United States justices or United States Courts of Appeals judges, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Some have also worked as prosecutors in state or local government, such as the New York County District Attorney's Office or the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

● Career Path and Promotion

Assistant United States Attorneys typically start their careers as entry-level prosecutors and work their way up to more senior positions, such as Deputy United States Attorney or First Assistant United States Attorney. They may also specialize in a particular area of law, such as national security law or white-collar crime, and become experts in that field, as seen in cases involving Al-Qaeda and Enron. With experience, Assistant United States Attorneys may be promoted to leadership positions, such as United States Attorney or Associate Deputy Attorney General, which are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. Some Assistant United States Attorneys may also leave government service to pursue careers in private practice, such as at Jones Day or Latham & Watkins, or in academia, such as at Stanford Law School or University of Chicago Law School.

● Notable Assistant United States Attorneys

Many notable individuals have served as Assistant United States Attorneys, including Rudolph Giuliani, who prosecuted cases involving organized crime and white-collar crime as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York; Eric Holder, who worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia and later became the United States Attorney General; and Preet Bharara, who prosecuted cases involving public corruption and white-collar crime as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Other notable Assistant United States Attorneys include Patrick Fitzgerald, who prosecuted cases involving terrorism and public corruption as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois; Mary Jo White, who worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York and later became the United States Attorney for that district; and Loretta Lynch, who prosecuted cases involving public corruption and civil rights as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York.

● Jurisdiction and Operations

Assistant United States Attorneys operate in United States Attorneys' offices across the country, including the Central District of California, the Northern District of Illinois, and the District of Columbia. They have jurisdiction over federal crimes committed within their district, and may also work on cases that involve multiple districts or require coordination with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorneys may also work with international partners, such as Interpol and Europol, to investigate and prosecute transnational crimes, such as human trafficking and cybercrime. They must also comply with federal laws and regulations, such as the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence, and work closely with other government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Treasury, to enforce federal laws and regulations.