Legal Definitions - Department of Justice

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is a division of the federal governmentresponsible for enforcing federal laws and providing related programs and services. The head of the DOJ is the U.S. Attorney General.

The DOJ is divided into separate divisions that handle different types of cases. For example, there are divisions for prosecuting cases related to antitrust laws, tax laws, environmental laws, and criminal laws. The department also has a civil division that represents the U.S. government in cases involving tort claims and commercial litigation.

Examples of cases that the DOJ might handle include:

• A case involving a company that is accused of violating antitrust laws by engaging in monopolistic practices.
• A case involving an individual who is accused of evading taxes.
• A case involving a company that is accused of violating environmental laws by polluting a river.
• A case involving an individual who is accused of committing a federal crime, such as drug trafficking or fraud.
• A case involving a lawsuit against the U.S. government for damages resulting from a tort, such as a car accident caused by a government employee.

These examples illustrate the DOJ's role in enforcing federal laws and representing the U.S. government in legal matters. The DOJ plays an important role in maintaining law and order at the federal level and ensuring that justice is served.