# Justice Manual § 9-13.500: International Legal Assistance

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.500

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-13.500
- **Heading:** International Legal Assistance
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-13.000 - Obtaining Evidence / Justice Manual § 9-13.500

## Text

Some countries reserve official acts to local officials and provide significant criminal penalties for persons who engage in such acts in their territory without authorization.  Before attempting to do any unilateral investigative act outside the United States relating to a criminal investigation or prosecution, including contacting a witness by telephone or mail, prior approval must be obtained from the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) (202-514-0000).

In addition, OIA must be consulted before contacting any foreign or State Department official in matters relating to extradition of a fugitive or the obtaining of evidence through compulsory process from a foreign authority
in a criminal investigation, prosecution, or ancillary criminal matter.

Any proposed contact with foreign officials, other than United States investigative agents, in a foreign country for the purpose of obtaining the extradition of a fugitive or evidence through compulsory process should first be discussed with OIA.

None of the above is intended to prevent prosecutors from:

having preliminary discussions with U.S. law enforcement representatives posted abroad concerning the obtaining of assistance,
communications with agents of State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service concerning an investigation under their jurisdiction, or
participating in standing international committees such as the U.S.-Canada Cross Border Committee.

[cited in
JM 9-11.140
] [updated April 2018]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-13.001 Electronic Recording of Statements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.001.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.002 Storage of Evidence in Criminal Matters and Cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.002.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.100 Use of Body-Worn Cameras by Task Force Officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.150 Processing Ballistics Evidence in Connection with Criminal Investigations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.150.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.200 Communications with Represented Persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.200.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.300 Polygraphs—Department Policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.300.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.400 Obtaining Information From, or Records of, Members of the News Media; and Questioning, Arresting, or Charging Members of the News Media](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.400.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.410 Guidelines for Issuing Subpoenas to Attorneys for Information Relating to the Representation of Clients](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.410.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.420 Searches of Premises of Subject Attorneys](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.420.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.500 International Legal Assistance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.500.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.510 Obtaining Evidence Abroad—General Considerations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.510.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.512 Intended Use of the Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.512.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.514 Time Required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.514.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.516 Cost of Obtaining Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.516.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.500. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.