Witness Security ProgramThe U.S. 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. The Witness Security Program was authorized by the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 and amended by the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984. The U.S. Marshals have protected, relocated and given new identities to more than 8,300 witnesses and 9,800 of their family members, since the program began in 1971. The successful operation of
this program is widely recognized as providing a unique and valuable
tool in the government’s battle against major criminal conspirators and
organized
crime. The U.S. Marshals provide 24-hour protection to all witnesses, while they are in a high-threat environment including pretrial conferences, trial testimonials and other court appearances. No Witness Security Program participant, who followed security guidelines, has been harmed while under the active protection of the U.S. Marshals. In both criminal and civil matters involving protected witnesses, the U.S. Marshals cooperate fully with local law enforcement and court authorities to bring witnesses to justice or to have them fulfill their legal responsibilities. |
America's Star: U.S. Marshals Service Talks WitSec to the World |