What Does a Deputy US Marshal Do?

By Dr. Jarrod Sadulski  |  05/22/2026

The United States Marshals Service is a presidentially appointed agency (through the Judiciary Act of 1789) and the oldest federal law enforcement agency in America. According to the Department of Justice, this federal law enforcement agency employs 94 U.S. Marshals who are in charge of various states and U.S. territories, as well as over 6,100 Deputy U.S. Marshals and other employees.

Key Responsibilities of Deputy US Marshals

Deputy U.S. Marshals have always been an important part of the federal justice. They have several responsibilities in the federal judiciary system, including:

• Judicial security
• Fugitive apprehension
• Detention enforcement
• Asset forfeiture
• Witness security

Judicial Security and Court Security

Deputy U.S. Marshals serve federal law enforcement officers, playing an important role in ensuring justice in the federal justice system (including federal courts) and in enforcing federal laws. These federal law enforcement officers are well respected and have a wide range of judicial security responsibilities in the federal judiciary system.

In addition to enforcing federal laws, these marshals support the federal judicial district to which they are assigned. For instance, their work involves:

• Providing security within federal judicial district courts for court officials and judicial personnel
• Transporting federal prisoners to court
• Ensuring safe courtroom proceedings for everyone

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Deputy U.S. Marshals also provide protection for Supreme Court Justices and the U.S. Attorney General. They assess threats to court officials and ensure court security for judges, prosecutors, witnesses, jury members, and the public.

The Marshals oversee daily security operations at 94 United States District Courts and 12 circuits of the Court of Appeals. They ensure court security through screening visitors at courthouse building entrances and manage other security duties on a daily basis.

In addition, U.S. Marshals provide protections to high-level government personnel. They operate the Threat Management Center, which serves as an information sharing point to provide support to district investigators.

U.S. Marshals have liaisons at the National Joint Terrorism Task Force and the National Counterterrorism Center. When needed, they collaborate with other agencies in the Intelligence Community.

Fugitive Apprehension and Task Force Operations

Deputy U.S. Marshals play an essential role in apprehending federal fugitives. This apprehension is extremely dangerous work because fugitives are typically looking at a long prison sentence and will do anything to avoid being caught.

Also, it is critically important to collect any intelligence a federal fugitive may have. In fact, advanced training is required for apprehending federal fugitives, managing the risks, and stopping the fugitive’s illegal activities.

Deputy U.S. Marshals often participate in fugitive operations with local law enforcement and other law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Marshals Service currently leads 56 local fugitive task forces.

It also oversees regional fugitive task forces that play a part on the federal justice system. These regional groups target the most dangerous fugitives and provide support in high-profile investigations involving local, state, and federal agencies.

Detention Enforcement and Prisoner Transport

U.S. Marshals can also serve as detention enforcement officers, who are responsible for transporting federal prisoners and security at prisons and courthouses. At prisons, these detention enforcement officers can:

• Monitor inmates for contraband
• Perform cellblock management at detention facilities
• Search detention facilities
• Manage prisoner activity

When federal prisoners are transported to or from courthouses, the detention enforcement officers are responsible for the safety of those people during the prisoner transport. Prisoner transport can be risky as dangerous fugitives may attempt an escape. When a marshal is transporting federal prisoners, there is also a risk of an ambush by other offenders attempting to rescue an offender from custody.

Asset Forfeiture

Since 1984, the U.S. Marshals Service has had an important role in the Asset Forfeiture Program. Deputy U.S. marshals are responsible for:

• Locating assets
• Evaluating assets
• Selling seized assets acquired by the Department of Justice

There are a wide range of seized assets that can be sold. These assets include:

• Homes and real estate
• Commercial properties
• Money and other financial instruments
• Vehicles, boats, and airplanes
• Art and other high-value items

This forfeiture is helpful because the money raised from selling a criminal’s assets can be used to pay restitution to victims. Through a program called Operation Goodwill, the funds from some forfeited assets can be transferred to local or state governments to help fund drug abuse treatment, meet housing needs, and other community-based programs. Asset forfeiture can also serve as a deterrent for future criminal activity.

Witness Security and Protection Programs

Another important role of Deputy Marshals involves the Witness Security Program, which provides 24-hour security for witnesses and their families involved in the federal judicial process. For instance, the marshals provide people with:

• New identities
• Financial support
• Relocation services during the pre-trial, trial, and post-trial phases

Witnesses can be subjected to an immense amount of danger for testifying against defendants. In high-profile cases, defendants may belong to:

• Cartels
• Transnational criminal organizations
• The mafia
• Terrorist groups
• Other organized crime groups that have a long reach into the United States

The defendants who have broken federal laws or other laws know that if witnesses are unable to testify, their case is likely to be dropped. However, the law enforcement officers of the Witness Protection Program can provide security for the rest of someone’s life if needed, because crime bosses and other criminals may seek to punish those witnesses years or even decades after a trial ends.

This program began in 1971. Since that time, no one who has participated in this program and followed its guidelines has been harmed or killed, which reflects the strength of the program.

It is quite an accomplishment to keep victims and witnesses safe through the Witness Security Program. Organized crime groups such as cartels have unlimited financial resources for technology.

Part of my field work involves interviewing human traffickers who are incarcerated in the United States and abroad. I frequently hear from incarcerated organized crime figures about the techniques used to locate their enemies, which mostly involves technology and facial recognition.

The Witness Protection Program operated by the Marshals is voluntary, and it is up to individuals if they wish to accept this protection. Failure to accept this protection can result in devastating circumstances.

Even if someone enters the Witness Protection Program, they may leave it and return to their original identities. Some people make the mistake thinking that enough time has gone by and it is safe to return to their former lives. However, cartels and organized crime groups are unforgiving and are quite capable of murdering anyone who goes without protection.

Working with United States Marshals

When I was a police officer at a local law enforcement agency, I received a report from Deputy U.S. Marshals who conducted a fugitive investigation and located a stolen vehicle, and I was requested to respond. I conducted a traffic stop based on the information the marshals provided about the vehicle’s description and tag.

After I stopped the vehicle, the Deputy Marshals informed me that it belonged to a judge in a Gulf Coast state. The driver was suspected of kidnapping and restraining a judge and his wife in their home, which quickly led to the arrest and extradition of that suspect.

Key Qualifications to Become a US Marshal

The hiring process to become a deputy marshal is highly competitive. Applicants should plan to apply well in advance of a prospective hire date. The necessary qualifications to become a marshal include:

• Being a United States citizen
• Possessing a valid driver’s license
• Successfully completing a medical screening
• Meeting physical fitness standards both during the pre-employment phase and on a bi-annual basis throughout employment
• Completing a drug screening and extensive background check
• Obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret security clearance

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, there are different grade levels for employment, and these levels have differing education and experience qualifications. For example, being hired at the GL-05 level requires three years of work experience, a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of experience and education.

U.S. deputy marshals have a long history of serving our nation. Becoming a U.S. marshal has its hazards, but it can also be a satisfying work for people dedicated to preserving justice and pursuing a career path in federal government.

 The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at APU

For adult learners seeking to study criminal justice, American Public University (APU) has an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. For this criminal justice degree program, students can take courses in the criminal legal process, U.S. law enforcement, and criminal profiling. Other courses include criminal law, constitutional law, and crime analysis.

This B.A. in criminal justice offers four concentrations to allow APU students to choose the courses best suited to their career goals:

• Entrepreneurship
• General
• Maritime Law Enforcement
• Organizational Law Enforcement Leadership

For more details, visit APU’s security and global studies degree program page.

Note: This degree program is not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any country, state, province or other jurisdiction. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body and does not lead to any state-issued professional licensure.