NCJ Number
104856
Date Published
Unknown
Length
10 pages
Annotation
For 200 years, the U.S. Marshals and their deputies have served as the instruments of civil authority used by all three branches of government in the United States.
Abstract
Their history has four phases. Between 1789 and the Civil War, the office of Marshal came to maturity, establishing precedents in appointment and duties. The marshals proved their value to the Federal Government in the enforcement of Federal laws and in the administration of Federal interests at the local level. The period from the Civil War to the end of the 19th century is the most famous in the marshals' history. Territorial marshals brought law and order to the West; southern marshals took part in the Reconstruction and engaged in a lengthy war against moonshiners. Eastern and northern marshals enforced the neutrality laws against several armed expeditions intent on taking over Canada. The marshals next underwent a confusing period of 60 years, in which specialized law enforcement agencies came to the fore and the powers and authority of the marshals were forgotten or misunderstood by the U.S. Department of Justice. Beginning in 1960, the marshals have experienced a comeback, as the Department of Justice has rediscovered their strength as generalists. Courts relied heavily on marshals in the integration of schools and public facilities. The creation of the United States Marshals Service in 1969 established a modern, cohesive law enforcement agency.