The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division prosecutes violations of criminal civil rights statutes and enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, and national origin. In 1957, Attorney General William P. Rogers created the Civil Rights Division, which was previously a section within the Criminal Division. The Division is divided into ten litigating sections based on the statutes each section enforces and an administrative section. The Civil Rights Division's efforts address discrimination in education, employment, credit, housing, public accommodations, voting, state and local government programs, and certain federally funded and conducted programs. Some of the civil rights laws enforced by the Civil Rights Division include:
In addition, the Civil Rights Division prosecutes hates crimes and color of law offenses. The Division also coordinates civil rights enforcement efforts of federal agencies whose programs are covered by various civil rights laws, and it assists federal agencies in identifying and removing discriminatory provisions in their policies and programs.
An Assistant Attorney General, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, heads the Civil Rights Division. The Assistant Attorney General is supported by a Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, three Deputy Assistant Attorney Generals, and various Counsels. Each Section is headed by a Section Chief and several Deputy Chiefs and Special Legal or Litigation Counsels. The Division's leadership, Section Chiefs, attorneys, and administrative staff are based in Washington, D.C., but travel to all parts of the United States and its territories for litigation, outreach, and training activities.
