# Justice Manual § 9-27.140: Modifications or Departures

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.140

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-27.140
- **Heading:** Modifications or Departures
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-27.000 - Principles of Federal Prosecution / Justice Manual § 9-27.140

## Text

United States Attorneys may modify or depart from the principles set forth herein as necessary in the interests of fair and effective law enforcement within the district. Any modification or departure contemplated as a matter of policy or regular practice must be approved by the appropriate Assistant Attorney General where required,
see
JM 9-2.400
(prior approvals chart), and the Deputy Attorney General. Similarly, Assistant Attorneys General overseeing prosecuting components may modify or depart from the principles set forth herein in the interests of fair and effective law enforcement, and any modification or departure contemplated by an Assistant Attorney General as a matter of policy or regular practice must be approved by the Deputy Attorney General.

Comment.
Although these materials are designed to promote consistency in the application of federal criminal laws, they are not intended to produce rigid uniformity among federal prosecutors in all areas of the country at the expense of the fair administration of justice. Different offices face different conditions and have different requirements. In recognition of these realities, and in order to maintain the flexibility necessary to respond fairly and effectively to local conditions, each United States Attorney and Assistant Attorney General overseeing prosecuting components is authorized to modify or depart from these principles, as necessary in the interests of fair and effective law enforcement within the district. In situations in which any modification or departure is contemplated as a matter of policy or regular practice, the appropriate U.S. Attorney and/or Assistant Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General must approve the action before it is adopted.

[cited in
JM 9-27.120
]

[updated June 2023]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-27.001 Preface](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.001.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.110 Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.110.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.120 Application](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.120.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.130 Implementation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.130.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.140 Modifications or Departures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.140.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.150 Non-Litigability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.150.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.200 Initiating and Declining Prosecution—Probable Cause Requirement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.200.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.220 Grounds for Commencing or Declining Prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.220.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.230 Initiating and Declining Charges—Substantial Federal Interest](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.230.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.240 Initiating and Declining Charges—Prosecution in Another Jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.240.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.250 Non-Criminal Alternatives to Prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.250.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.260 Initiating and Declining Charges—Impermissible Considerations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.260.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.270 Records of Prosecutions Declined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.270.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-27.300 Selecting Charges—Conducting an Individualized Assessment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.300.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-27.140. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.