# Justice Manual § 8-2.110: Pre-Investigation Review and Investigations

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.110

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 8-2.110
- **Heading:** Pre-Investigation Review and Investigations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 8: Civil Rights / 8-2.000 - Enforcement Of Civil Rights Civil Statutes / Justice Manual § 8-2.110

## Text

Information that may indicate an investigation under a federal civil rights statute is appropriate may come to the Civil Rights Division or a United States Attorney’s Office through a variety of channels, including referrals or complaints from other federal agencies, victims or community organizations, private attorneys, media coverage, and other sources. Upon receiving such information, the Civil Rights Division or the United States Attorney’s Office may engage in a pre-investigation review to determine whether an investigation is appropriate. Pre-investigation review includes taking actions such as speaking to and reviewing materials received from a complainant and reviewing publicly available information.

When a United States Attorney’s Office receives a complaint or other information suggesting a violation of a federal civil rights statute or has initiated a pre-investigation review, that office should forward  the complaint or other information to the Civil Rights Division as soon as practicable.  The Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division retains final authority to determine whether a civil rights investigation should be opened. The Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division may delegate this authority to subordinate Civil Rights Division officials and United States Attorneys, where appropriate. The United States Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division may work together, as appropriate, on these investigations and any resulting litigation. Division of responsibilities is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, or his or her designee, usually the relevant Section Chief, will notify the United States Attorney, or his or her designee, before initiating an investigation in the United States Attorney’s district.

[updated March 2018]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 8-2.010 General Procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.010.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.100 Civil Rights Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.110 Pre-Investigation Review and Investigations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.110.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.120 Institution of Civil Proceedings—Authorization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.120.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.130 Litigation and Trial](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.130.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.140 Intervention](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.140.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.150 Appeals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.150.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.160 Cooperation with Private Litigants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.160.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.170 Standards for Amicus Participation and Statements of Interest](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.170.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.210 Employment Litigation Section](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.210.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.211 Employment Litigation Section—Affirmative Suits Under Title VII](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.211.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.212 Employment Litigation Section—Affirmative Suits Under Executive Orders 11246, as Amended](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.212.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.213 Employment Litigation Section—Affirmative Suits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.213.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-2.214 Employment Litigation Section—Defensive Suits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.214.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-2.110. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.