# Justice Manual § 9-2.001: Introduction

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.001

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-2.001
- **Heading:** Introduction
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-2.000 - Authority Of The U.S. Attorney In Criminal Division Matters/Prior Approvals / Justice Manual § 9-2.001

## Text

The United States Attorney, within his/her district, has plenary authority with regard to federal criminal matters. This authority is exercised under the supervision and direction of the Attorney General and his/her delegates.

The statutory duty to prosecute for all offenses against the United States (28 U.S.C. § 547) carries with it the authority necessary to perform this duty. The USA is invested by statute and delegation from the Attorney General with the broadest discretion in the exercise of such authority.

The authority, discretionary power, and responsibilities of the United States Attorney with relation to criminal matters encompass without limitation by enumeration the following:

Investigating suspected or alleged offenses against the United States, see
JM 9-2.010
;
Causing investigations to be conducted by the appropriate federal law enforcement agencies, see
JM 9-2.010
;
Declining prosecution, see
JM 9-2.020
;
Authorizing prosecution, see
JM 9-2.030
;
Determining the manner of prosecuting and deciding trial related questions;
Recommending whether to appeal or not to appeal from an adverse ruling or decision, see
JM 9-2.170
;
Dismissing prosecutions, see
JM 9-2.050
; and
Handling civil matters related thereto which are under the supervision of the Criminal Division

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-2.001 Introduction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.001.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.010 Investigations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.010.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.020 Declining Prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.020.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.021 Armed Forces Enlistment as an Alternative to Federal Prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.021.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.022 Pretrial Diversion as an Alternative to Federal Prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.022.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.030 Authorizing Prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.030.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.031 Dual and Successive Prosecution Policy ("Petite Policy")](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.031.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.032 Notification to the Criminal Division of Certain Prosecutions of Attorneys](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.032.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.040 Dismissal of Complaints](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.040.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.041 Cancellation of Unexecuted Arrest Warrants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.041.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.050 Dismissal of Indictments and Informations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.050.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.060 Appeals, Mandamus, Stays, Rehearing, Certiorari](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.060.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.100 Limitations on United States Attorneys](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-2.101 American Bar Association Standards for Criminal Justice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.101.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-2.001. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.