Overview

The Criminal Division is the catch-all crime division at the Justice Department. The DOJ has divisions dedicated to crimes of tax, anti-trust, civil rights and environment and natural resources.

It is the responsibility of the Criminal Division to "develop, enforce, and supervise the application of all federal criminal laws, except those specifically assigned to other divisions of the Department." Though it's a separate unit, the Criminal Division works closely with other DOJ areas like the U.S. attorneys' offices and the FBI on organized crime, drug enforcement and counter-terrorism. The assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division also oversees the public integrity unit, which prosecutes federal political corruption cases, and can contribute briefs to the solicitor general's office on appellate trial matters. He also oversees all sensitive law enforcement matters, such as the Witness Security Program and electronic surveillance issues.