Brief Info about the United States Department of Justice

The Department of Justice is one of the most important government agencies in the US Government today. It handles many of the legal issues faced by the government, and oversees the federal legal system. The Department of Justice is home to many hardworking individuals that hold key positions in the government, such as Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, and it is also home to many subcategories that are key agencies in the government. The Department of Justice is crucial to the control and safety of the country, and it helps to regulate many of the countries facilities.

The Department of Justice has many functions that make it one of the most important agencies in the government. Some of the major functions of the agency is that it furnishes legal advice to the president, enforces federal criminal laws, and it supervises the federal prisons (Barded 413). Their mission as a federal agency is "To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law" (DOJ OL) as well as to ensure the public safety from outside threats and to be the firm leader in controlling crime. The departments acts swiftly in punishing those guilty of criminal acts, and it protects the rights of the citizens and ensures the justice to all Americans. The department functions as a very important factor in the American government, and it provides the legal security the country needs.

The Department of Justice was created in 1870 out of the Office of the Attorney General, which was created in 1789. The Attorney General was created out of the Judiciary Act of 1789, which stated that the Attorney General be someone who is knowledgeable of the law and who can protect and serve the country. The job was seen as too much to handle for one person, especially after the many legal matters following the Civil War. In 1870, Congress passed the Act to Establish the Department of Justice, which set up a department that was to control and handle the legal business of the United States, and that was to be headed by the Attorney General (DOJ OL). The creation of this department gave the United States a stronger backbone in legal matters, and more control over law enforcement.

This department is part of the executive branch in the US Government. Within the Department of Justice, there is also the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Prisons. Also included in the Department of Justice are INTERPOL, DEA, and many offices that create a strong department. Some actions taken by the DOJ and it sub agencies are its actions taken in the fight against terrorism. The DOJ recently announced its creation of the National Security Division which hopes to fight terrorism. As well as its fight against terrorism, the DOJ and its sub committees have also taken measures to protect the health and safety of our citizens. They helped in passing the Patriot Act of 2001, as well as creating new regulations for disabled citizens.

The Department of Justice affects my life in many ways. It helps to protect myself along with all of the other citizens in the country. It enforces the rules by which all citizens must abide by, and protects us from the criminals. It is very necessary in the government, as it keeps order among the legal system. I would increase funding for this department as opposed to cutting funding, because without this department, there would be no one to regulate the prisons and to make sure criminals are being given the proper treatment. The safety of this country would be jeopardized as drugs would be more prevalent, and terrorism would become apparent. Without the sub agencies such as the FBI or the DEA, it would be impossible to maintain a safe country that protects its citizens, and the Department of Justice is crucial in the operation of this country.