What is the Difference Between FBI and US Marshals?

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The FBI and the US Marshals are both federal law enforcement agencies, but they have different missions and responsibilities. Here are the main differences between the two:

FBI:

  1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for investigating violations of federal laws, including counterintelligence, counter-terrorism, cybercrime, public corruption, major thefts, and white-collar crimes.
  2. The FBI operates in 50 different countries.
  3. FBI agents are involved in various tasks, such as carrying out warrants, using knowledge of search and seizure law, and planning and carrying out criminal investigations.

US Marshals:

  1. The US Marshals Service is the enforcement arm of the federal courts, mainly responsible for the effective operations of the judicial system by protecting court witnesses, judges, and handling asset forfeiture.
  2. US Marshals work only within the United States.
  3. Deputy US Marshals have more specialized job duties, such as hunting down federal fugitives, providing court security, and engaging in prisoner transport.

While their missions and responsibilities are different, the FBI and the US Marshals Service sometimes work together on joint task forces, as their missions often overlap. For example, the FBI also hunts fugitives wanted on federal charges, and both agencies may collaborate on tasks related to prisoner transport and court security.

Comparative Table: FBI vs US Marshals

The FBI and the US Marshals are both federal law enforcement agencies, but they have different missions and responsibilities. Here is a table comparing the two:

FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) US Marshals Service
Investigates violations of federal laws, including counter-terrorism, white-collar crime, and civil rights cases Primarily responsible for apprehending fugitives and providing witness security
Focuses on intelligence and investigative work Ensures the security of judges, jurors, attorneys, court buildings, and judiciary
No specific jurisdiction limitations Limited jurisdiction, serving in specific districts
Works on cases inside and outside the United States Primarily operates within the United States
Employs special agents to investigate a wide range of criminal activities Employs deputy US marshals to perform more specialized duties, such as transporting prisoners, handling federal detainees, and providing security for court proceedings

While the FBI and US Marshals have different missions, their responsibilities sometimes overlap, and the two agencies may work together on joint task forces.