U.S. Marshals Service for Students
Witness Security
The Marshals Service protects government witnesses and their families.
These witnesses agree to provide important testimony (tell what they
know) if they can be protected from harm and will not be charged with a
crime.
The Marshals Service protects witnesses who testify against dangerous
defendants like drug traffickers, organized crime members, terrorists,
and other criminals. For a witness’ testimony, the government offers
protection, a new name and a safe location. Since 1971, more than 7,500
witnesses have entered the Witness Security Program, and including
17,000 family members.
The Marshals Service provides each new witness with the following
services:
- 24 hour protection before and during all judicial proceeding
- counseling and training for the changes that will occur
- physical and dental examinations
- briefings about their relocation to a new region
- helping find a new job
- backup documents using their new name in a new location
Since the Witness Security Program began, protected witnesses' testimony
has helped put 89 percent (a lot) of criminals they testified against in
prison. No witness has ever been harmed while under the active
protection and following the security guidelines of the Marshals
Service!
Learn more:
Historical
Information about Witness Security |
