The
United States Marshals Service (
USMS) is a
U.S. federal law enforcement agency within the
U.S. Department of Justice (see). The office of U.S. Marshal is the oldest American federal law enforcement office, though second to the
U.S. Customs Service as the oldest federal agency (July 1789); it was created by the
Judiciary Act of 1789. It assumed its current name in 1969.
The Marshals Service is part of the
executive branch of government, and is the enforcement arm of the
U.S. federal courts. The U.S. Marshals are responsible for the protection of officers of the court, court buildings and the effective operation of the
judiciary. The service also assists with court security and prisoner transport, serves
arrest warrants, and seeks
fugitives.