# Justice Manual § 9-65.881: Demonstrations—Procedures > Federal · Agency guidance · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.881 ## Section - **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-65.881 - **Heading:** Demonstrations—Procedures - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Agency guidance - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-65.000 - Protection Of Government Officials / Justice Manual § 9-65.881 ## Text Upon receipt of information indicating a violation or potential violation of 18 U.S.C. § 970, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), after notifying the Department of State and consulting with the appropriate United States Attorney, will initiate such investigation as is deemed necessary if it is determined that Federal presence is warranted. The State Department Operations Center, (202) 647-1512, can quickly locate and have the appropriate State Department officials contact the U.S. Attorney in cases wherein the United States Attorney is uncertain as to whether the incident will adversely affect the foreign relations of the United States. The determination made and action initiated, if any, will be reported by the FBI to the Criminal Division, United States Attorney concerned, United States Secret Service, and Department of State without delay. The Bureau will bring to the attention of the Criminal Division for conclusion any unresolved difference of opinion among the Bureau, Secret Service, Department of State, and United States Attorney concerning action or lack thereof by any of them. If a United States Attorney's Office receives a complaint of violation of section 970, the complainant should be referred to the FBI field office concerned, with advice that, as indicated in the Department of State communication, most conduct in possible violation of section 970 is more appropriate for disposition under local law, but the FBI will report the complaint to the appropriate United States authorities for consideration of possible Federal disposition. When the offense is of a nature that merits Federal prosecution, an investigation should be pursued without regard for whether the pertinent foreign officials will agree to appear as witnesses at an ensuing trial. Once a subject has been identified and sufficient evidence has been developed to form the basis for Federal charges, a determination should be sought as to whether the relevant foreign officials will agree to testify. that merits Federal prosecution, an investigation should be pursued without regard for whether the pertinent foreign officials will agree to appear as witnesses at an ensuing trial. Once a subject has been identified and sufficient evidence has been developed to form the basis for Federal charges, a determination should be sought as to whether the relevant foreign officials will agree to testify. In instances where there is a Federal interest sufficient to proceed under one of the protection of foreign officials statutes, it may still be advantageous to defer to a local prosecution. This is particularly true where there is a local statute which better fits the crime than does the Federal statute. However, in such cases, the United States Attorney's Office should insure that the FBI monitors the progress of the local prosecution. Should local efforts be dropped prior to a trial, the matter should be reevaluated by the United States Attorney's Office and a new prosecutive determination should be rendered. ## Nearby sections - [Justice Manual § 9-65.100 Protection of the President, Presidential Staff, and Certain Secret Service Protectees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.100.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.110 Protection of the President and Secret Service Protectees—Notification Requirement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.110.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.140 Publicity Concerning Threats Against Government Officials](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.140.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.200 Threats Against the President and Successors to the Presidency; Threats Against Former Presidents; and Certain Other Secret Service Protectees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.200.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.300 Presidential Assassination Statute—18 U.S.C. § 1751](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.300.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.400 Protection of Temporary Residences and Offices of the President and Other Secret Service Protectees (18 U.S.C. § 1752)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.400.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.402 Presidential Visit-United States Attorney's Responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.402.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.463 Competency—Utilization of Federal Facility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.463.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.500 Interference with or Obstruction of the Secret Service—18 U.S.C. § 3056(d)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.500.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.600 Assaults on and Kidnapping of Federal Officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.600.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.611 General Prosecutive Policy Under 18 U.S.C. § 111](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.611.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.700 Congressional, Cabinet, and Supreme Court Assassination, Kidnapping, and Assault (18 U.S.C. § 351)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.700.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.800 Protection of Foreign Officials, Internationally Protected Persons (IPPs) and Official Guests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.800.md) - [Justice Manual § 9-65.810 Prosecutive Policy—Preference for Local Disposition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.810.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-65.881. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.