Divisions

The Central District of California is divided into three litigating divisions – Civil, Criminal, and National Security.

The Civil Division litigates for damages and civil penalties to address a wide range of illegal conduct, including fraud against federal and state agencies, federal food and drug safety violations, civil rights violations, and harm to the environment, bringing cases to trial and arguing appeals. The Civil Division also defends U.S. agencies and employees sued in federal courts. 

The Criminal Division is comprised of federal prosecutors who identify, investigate, charge, take to trial, and handle appeals for some of the nation’s most impactful criminal cases. These crimes include fraud committed against taxpayers of local, state, and federal governments; financial fraud against individuals, lenders and other businesses; drug trafficking; firearms and ammunition dealing and possession; unlawful pollution and crimes against the environment; street gang activity and racketeering enterprises; sex trafficking and child sexual abuse material; and immigration crimes.

The National Security Division prosecutes, disrupts, and deters activities harmful to the internal and external security of the United States. It is comprised of lawyers and staff who are specially trained and experienced in investigating and prosecuting crimes relating to foreign threats, international and domestic terrorism, complex computer attacks, and misappropriation of intellectual property.