Welcome to Plain Writing at the U.S. Department of Justice!
We are committed to writing new documents in clear, useful and understandable language that members of the public can grasp on first reading.
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (PDF) requires federal agencies to write “clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.”
The Justice Department is using the Federal Plain Language Guidelines (PDF) in writing any new or substantially revised document that:
- provides information about any of our services or benefits;
- is needed to obtain any of our benefits or services; or
- explains how to comply with any requirement that we administer or enforce.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael H. Allen, Justice Management Division, oversees our plain language efforts.
Annual Report
Plain Writing Act of 2010 Implementation Annual Compliance Report
2019 | 2017/2018 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 (PDF) | 2013 (PDF) | 
2012 (PDF)
Updated October 1, 2020