Also known as: u.s. attorneys · us attorney · us attorneys · united states attorney · united states attorneys · federal prosecutor
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A federal prosecutor appointed by the President with Senate confirmation to represent the United States in criminal prosecutions and civil litigation within a specific judicial district. The office carries a four-year term and remains subject to presidential removal. Authority includes conducting grand jury proceedings and approving procedural steps such as case transfers under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Urban Utley faces indictment in the District of State A for misusing federal subsidy funds. After arrest in the District of State B, Utley files a written statement seeking to plead guilty and waiving trial in State A. Both the United States attorney for State A and the United States attorney for State B provide written approval, allowing the clerk to send the file to State B for disposition.
Usha Upton is arrested after federal agents search her apartment without a warrant. The United States attorney reviews the seized documents and determines that statements obtained during the search cannot be used at trial because they derive from the initial unlawful entry.
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Ulf Ulfsson serves as United States attorney and refuses a presidential directive to dismiss a pending enforcement action. The President removes Ulfsson from office before the end of the four-year term, exercising direct authority over the position.
Uliana Ustinova enters a plea agreement with the United States attorney promising a specific sentencing recommendation. At sentencing the United States attorney recommends a higher term, prompting the court to allow Ustinova to withdraw the plea.
Unity Underhill faces investigation by a judicially appointed special counsel whose jurisdiction is limited to one narrow matter. The United States attorney coordinates with the special counsel on overlapping evidence while maintaining separate charging authority over unrelated offenses.
Usman Uddin moves to suppress evidence seized during a warrantless home entry. The United States attorney concedes the Fourth Amendment violation and declines to introduce the evidence at trial rather than litigate the constitutional claim.
Yes. Rule 20(a)(2) requires written approval from the United States attorneys in both the transferor and transferee districts before a prosecution may be transferred for plea and sentence. Without both approvals the court lacks authority to order the transfer even if the defendant consents.
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The President appoints each United States attorney for a four-year term with Senate confirmation. The President may remove a United States attorney at any time before the term expires.
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A United States attorney or an authorized assistant conducts grand jury proceedings and prosecutes federal crimes on behalf of the United States. The office also decides which matters to decline and coordinates with federal agencies on charging priorities.
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No. A United States attorney remains subject to at-will removal by the President. Congress may impose removal restrictions on inferior officers such as assistant United States attorneys but not on the United States attorney position itself.
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…by Marquis of Queensbury rules while permitting the other to butt, gouge and bite." N. Y. Times, May 14, 1965, p. 39. The former United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, David C. Acheson, who is presently Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury (for Enforcement), and directly in charge of the Secret Service and the…