What Does A US Marshal Do?

By Dr. Matthew Loux and Bryce Loux  |  10/20/2026

Although United States Marshals are often depicted simply as officers tracking down fugitives, that is only one part of the job. The United States Marshals Service, part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), serves as the enforcement arm of the federal courts and plays a central role in supporting the federal justice system. This federal agency works in coordination with directives from the Attorney General and its work combines federal law enforcement, judicial security, prisoner operations, and interagency coordination.

If you’re considering becoming a United States Marshal, it’s important to know how this role offers a broader view of how federal law is enforced. It also shows how the work of the United States Marshals Service affects public safety, court security, prisoner operations, and the protection of people involved in the judicial process.

The Seven Primary Duties of United States Marshals

United States Marshals have seven primary duties involving law enforcement, security, and judicial responsibilities. The duties of the U.S. Marshals Service include:

• Protecting judges, court personnel, and federal courthouses
• Apprehending fugitives charged with federal crimes
• Managing, transporting, and housing federal prisoners
• Enforcing orders issued by the federal courts
• Protecting government witnesses and their families
• Managing seized and forfeited assets
• Leading multi-agency fugitive task forces

Protecting Judges, Court Personnel, and Federal Courthouses

Protecting the federal courts and federal courthouses is one of the United States Marshals Service’s primary functions. Federal courts bring together defendants, victims, witnesses, lawyers, judges, jurors, prisoners, and court employees. Justice cannot be served if a court environment is not safe.

Deputy United States Marshals are committed to protecting federal court facilities, as well as judges, jurors, court employees, and other protected persons across the 94 federal judicial districts and U.S. Courts of Appeals.

United States Marshals’ duties include personal protection, threat assessment and investigation, and emergency response planning. In 2025, for instance, United States Marshals investigated 807 threats and potential threats to protected persons.

Apprehending Fugitives Charged with Federal Crimes

Fugitive investigations are the agency’s most visible duty. The United States Marshals Service locates, apprehends, and arrests fugitives wanted in connection with federal crimes. At the same time, United States Marshals also provide assistance with fugitive cases to state, tribal, and other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as local law enforcement agencies.

Doing this work on a large scale requires the United States Marshals Service to coordinate multi-agency fugitive task forces nationwide. Fugitives may cross state or international borders, create false identities, and rely on personal connections to stay hidden.

One of the agency’s best-known programs is the 15 Most Wanted Fugitives Program, established in 1983. The program focuses on individuals considered among the greatest threats to public safety, including people wanted for murder, sex offenses, and drug trafficking.

At the same time, the scale of this work is significant. To date, USMS task forces have arrested 84,000 fugitives and cleared almost 100,000 warrants through United States Marshals Service arrests.

Managing, Transporting, and Housing Federal Prisoners

Another responsibility of the United States Marshals Service is managing the custody and logistics of federal prisoners. Many federal defendants are detained before trial or sentencing, and the USMS does not own or operate detention facilities. Instead, U.S. Marshals work with state and local governments, Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities, and private detention facilities to provide custody, housing, medical care, and transportation for detained individuals.

Transporting prisoners from one location to another can involve movement to health care facilities, detention centers, federal courthouses, court hearings, or other required locations. Transportation plans are developed depending on each person’s medical, behavioral, security, and separation needs, with appropriate protection provided by detention staff or deputies. This work is a crucial part of the federal court system because prisoners must be safely produced for court proceedings when required.

Enforcing Orders from Federal Courts

As the enforcement arm of the federal courts, U.S. Marshals have the authority to carry out federal court orders and serve legal process as authorized by law. This role distinguishes the United States Marshals Service from agencies such as the FBI, whose responsibilities include independent criminal investigations.

Protecting Government Witnesses and Their Families

The federal Witness Security Program is one of the agency's highest-risk duties. U.S. Marshals protect government witnesses and authorized family members whose safety is threatened because of their assistance with federal investigations or prosecutions. Criminals may attempt to attack witnesses in retribution or intimidate them into remaining silent.

The United States Marshals Service may relocate participants, provide new identities and documentation, and provide financial assistance for basic living expenses and medical care. Job training and employment assistance may also be provided, depending on the participant’s needs.

U.S. Marshals also provide 24-hour protection in high-threat environments, including trials and other court appearances. Since the program began in 1971, it has protected almost 19,300 participants, including witnesses and authorized family members.

Managing Seized and Forfeited Assets

U.S. Marshals also have the duty to manage property seized and forfeited to the federal government through criminal and civil forfeiture. Assets may include:

• Vehicles
• Real property
• Businesses
• Cash and financial instruments
• Jewelry
• Artwork
• Aircraft

This assignment has many moving parts. Property must be secured, maintained, evaluated, and, when authorized, sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with federal law.

The United States Marshals Service also helps ensure the orderly distribution of sale proceeds, including payments to victims and equitable sharing with participating law enforcement agencies. Managing these assets is a substantial part of the agency’s work that is seldom recognized.

Leading Multi-Agency Fugitive Task Forces

The United States Marshals Service also fills an important coordination role. This agency oversees the nation’s regional fugitive task forces, established under the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000, and leads local fugitive task forces that combine federal, state, and local law enforcement resources. These task forces help locate and apprehend high-priority violent fugitives and provide assistance in high-profile cases.

This task force coordination is not limited to American citizens or the United States, however. The Department of Justice has designated the United States Marshals Service as the primary agency responsible for apprehending fugitives wanted by foreign nations and believed to be in the U.S. The U.S. Marshals Service is also the primary agency responsible for tracking and extraditing fugitives who are apprehended in other countries and wanted for prosecution in the United States.

US Marshals Service By The Numbers

The scale of this federal law enforcement agency’s work becomes clearer when the fiscal year statistics are viewed together. In FY 2025, the USMS reported:

• 1,050 fugitives cleared through Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force cases targeting drug trafficking and money laundering networks
• 343 Adam Walsh Act violations involving noncompliant sex offenders
• More than 4,953 illegal firearms seized during violence reduction and counter-gang operations
• 9,973 assets received and 12,381 assets disposed of through the asset forfeiture program, with assets on hand valued at approximately $8.2 billion as of September 30, 2025
• $475 million distributed to crime victims and claimants, with an additional $602 million shared with participating law enforcement agencies
• Approximately $2.2 billion in total expenditures for federal prisoners in USMS custody

Each year, U.S. Marshals apprehend more than 36,000 federal fugitives. On an average day, the United States Marshals Service transports approximately 59,000 federal prisoners and makes about 302 fugitive arrests.

Why The United States Marshals Service Stands Apart from Other Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

Few federal law enforcement agencies combine court enforcement, judicial security, prisoner logistics, witness protection, fugitive apprehension, and asset management under one mission. Although being a United States Marshal is highly demanding, it is also a satisfying way to help ensure public safety and justice.

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at AMU

For adult learners who want to study criminal justice, American Military University part of American Public University System (“AMU”) has an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. For this B.A. in criminal justice, students can study topics such as U.S. law enforcement, criminal law, the criminal legal process, criminal investigation, and constitutional law. Other courses offered in this degree program include criminology, ethics in criminal justice, and corrections and incarceration.

This degree has four concentrations so that students may choose the courses best suited to their academic goals. These concentrations include:

• Entrepreneurship
• Organizational law enforcement leadership
• Maritime law enforcement
• General

For more information, visit AMU’s criminal justice degree program page.

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at American Military University part of American Public University System is not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any country, state, province, or other jurisdiction. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body and does not lead to any state-issued professional licensure. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency.