# Justice Manual § 8-3.130: Cases of National Interest

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.130

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 8-3.130
- **Heading:** Cases of National Interest
- **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 / 8-3.000 - Enforcement Of Civil Rights Criminal Statutes / Justice Manual § 8-3.130

## Text

A case of “national interest” is one that presents important public policy considerations; a case that presents a novel issue of law; a case that because of peculiar facts and circumstances may set important precedent; a case with simultaneous investigations in multiple districts (unless the United States Attorney’s Office in each district and the Civil Rights Division conclude that national interests are not involved); a case with international or foreign policy implications; a case that is urgent or sensitive; or a case that substantially affects the uniform application of the law. A case involving a violation of the federal criminal civil rights laws resulting in death or where the underlying conduct involves a sexual act as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 2246(2), or a case involving a violation 18 U.S.C. § 2243(b) or (c) is presumed to be a case of national interest.

The Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, after consultation with the United States Attorney, shall determine whether a case is of “national interest,” considering the factors listed above. In a case of national interest, the Assistant Attorney General, after consultation with the United States Attorney, may require the United States Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division to participate jointly as co-counsel from the initiation of the investigation through prosecution. The Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, after consultation with the United States Attorney, shall take into consideration all of the circumstances, including the experience of the particular United States Attorney’s Office and the efficient use of government resources in making staffing decisions. The Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, after consultation with the United States Attorney’s Office, may also determine that a case is best staffed by attorneys only from the United States Attorney’s Office or only from the Civil Rights Division.
ience of the particular United States Attorney’s Office and the efficient use of government resources in making staffing decisions. The Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, after consultation with the United States Attorney’s Office, may also determine that a case is best staffed by attorneys only from the United States Attorney’s Office or only from the Civil Rights Division.

In a case of national interest or that is presumptively of national interest, the United States Attorney’s Office in the relevant district, the FBI, and the Civil Rights Division should consult and coordinate with each other before any press conference is held or before any statement is made to the media.

[updated December 2022]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 8-3.010 Introduction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.010.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.100 Coordination of Activities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.120 Staffing Cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.120.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.130 Cases of National Interest](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.130.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.135 High Profile Civil Rights Incident](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.135.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.140 Advance Notice/Prior Approvals of Indictments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.140.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.141 Certification Provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.141.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.150 Declinations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.150.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.160 Appeals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.160.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.170 Cooperation with State Prosecutions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.170.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.180 Subpoenas Issued to FBI Agents or Other Federal Agents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.180.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.190 Notification to Parties of Closing File](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.190.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.195 Production or Disclosure in Federal And State Proceedings of Material or Information in Civil Rights Division Files](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.195.md)
- [Justice Manual § 8-3.200 Prior Approvals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.200.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S8-3.130. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.