Equitable Sharing Program

Overview

The Department of Justice’s (Justice) Asset Forfeiture Program encompasses the seizure, forfeiture, and disposition of assets that represent the proceeds of, or were used to facilitate, federal crimes. The Attorney General exercises statutory authority to manage the Program. See 28 U.S.C. § 524(c)(1) (establishing the Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund (AFF), managed by the Attorney General). The Asset Forfeiture Program has four primary goals:

1. To punish and deter criminal activity by depriving criminals of property used in or acquired through illegal activities.
2. To promote and enhance cooperation among federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies.
3. To recover assets that may be used to compensate victims when authorized under federal law.
4. To ensure the Program is administered professionally, lawfully, and in a manner consistent with sound public policy

One of the ancillary benefits of asset forfeiture is the potential to share federal forfeiture proceeds in appropriate cases with cooperating state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies through equitable sharing. The Program enhances cooperation among federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement by providing valuable additional resources to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies assisting with investigations into violations of federal laws. However, the Program is designed to supplement and enhance, not supplant, appropriated agency resources.

Forms

See the Office for Civil Rights for information about special circumstances applying to entities in the State of Louisiana.

Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification Information

Equitable Sharing and Agreement Certification (ESAC) – Sample

Agency Contacts by State

Salary Approval Request

Salary Approval Request Form for DOJ Equitable Sharing Program Funds (2024)

U.S. Marshals Service UFMS Vendor Form Information

UFMS Vendor Request Form (March 2022) (click here for instructions on how to download the form).

Publications

Guide to Equitable Sharing for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies (2024)

Equipment Policy

Controlled Equipment Purchases with Equitable Sharing Funds (9/29/2022)

Executive Order 13809 (August 28, 2017) has been revoked by Executive Order 14074 (May 25, 2022).

Executive Order 14074: Advancing Safe, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety (May 25, 2022)

Controlled Equipment Approval Request Form (2024)

Equitable Sharing Wire

All PDF (Portable Document Format) forms may be viewed using a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.