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Witness Security Program

The Marshals Service provides for the security, health and safety of government witnesses - and their immediate dependents - whose lives are in danger as a result of their testimony against drug traffickers, terrorists, organized crime members and other major criminals.

America's Star: U.S. Marshals Service Talks WitSec to the World

The Witness Security Program was authorized by the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 and amended by the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984. Since its inception, more than 7,500 witnesses and over 9,500 family members have entered the Program and have been protected, relocated and given new identities by the Marshals Service.

The successful operation of this program is widely recognized as providing a unique and valuable tool in the government's war against major criminal conspirators and organized crime. Since the program's inception, it has obtained an overall conviction rate of 89 as a result of protected witnesses' testimonies.

Final determination that a witness qualifies for Witness Security protection is made by the Attorney General. The decision is based on recommendations by U.S. Attorneys assigned to major federal cases throughout the nation. In a state court case, the determination is based on a request from a State Attorney General through the appropriate U.S. Attorney's office.

After the witness receives a pre-admittance briefing by Marshals Service personnel and agrees to enter the program, the procedure usually involves the immediate removal of the witness and his/her immediate family members from the danger area and their relocation to a secure area selected by the Marshals Service.

Witnesses and their families typically get new identities with authentic documentation. Housing, medical care, job training and employment can also be provided. Subsistence funding to cover basic living expenses is also provided to the witnesses until they become self-sufficient in the relocation area.

The Marshals Service provides 24-hour protection to all witnesses while they are in a high threat environment, including pre-trial conferences, trial testimonials and other court appearances.

In both criminal and civil matters involving protected witnesses, the Marshals Service cooperates fully with local law enforcement and court authorities in bringing witnesses to justice or in having them fulfill their legal responsibilities. A recidivism study found that less than 17 percent of protected witnesses with criminal histories are arrested and charged after joining the Program.

No program participant who follows security guidelines has ever been harmed while under the active protection of the Marshals Service.