Legal Definitions - AUSA

An AUSA, which stands for Assistant United States Attorney, is a federal prosecutor and civil litigator who works for the U.S. Department of Justice. AUSAs represent the United States government in federal court, handling a wide range of cases. Their primary responsibilities include prosecuting individuals and organizations for federal crimes, as well as representing the federal government in civil lawsuits where the U.S. is a party. Each AUSA works under the supervision of a United States Attorney, who is the chief federal law enforcement officer for a specific federal judicial district.

Here are some examples of how an AUSA's role might apply:

• Imagine a case where a group of individuals is caught operating a large-scale drug trafficking network that spans multiple states, a federal offense. An AUSA would be assigned to this case to review the evidence collected by federal agents, present it to a grand jury to secure an indictment, and then prosecute the individuals in federal court.

  This illustrates an AUSA's role in prosecuting federal crimes, specifically those that cross state boundaries and fall under federal jurisdiction.

• Consider a situation where a citizen sues a federal agency, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alleging that a new regulation is unconstitutional. An AUSA would represent the EPA in court, filing motions, conducting discovery, and arguing on behalf of the federal government to defend against the lawsuit.

  This demonstrates an AUSA's function as a civil litigator, defending federal agencies and the U.S. government when they are sued.

• Suppose the Secret Service uncovers a sophisticated counterfeiting operation producing fake U.S. currency. An AUSA would work closely with Secret Service agents from the initial stages of the investigation, providing legal guidance, drafting search warrants, and preparing for potential arrests and prosecutions once enough evidence is gathered.

  This highlights an AUSA's involvement in complex federal investigations, collaborating with law enforcement to build cases against individuals or groups committing federal offenses.