Legal Definitions - Secret Service

Definition: The Secret Service is a law-enforcement agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Its main responsibilities are to provide security for the President, Vice President, certain other government officials, and visiting foreign diplomats. It is also responsible for protecting U.S. currency by enforcing the laws relating to counterfeiting, forgery, and credit-card fraud. The Service was transferred from the Department of the Treasury in 2003.

Examples:

• The Secret Service protects the President and Vice President of the United States.
• The Secret Service also provides security for visiting foreign diplomats.
• The Secret Service enforces laws related to counterfeiting, forgery, and credit-card fraud to protect U.S. currency.

The examples illustrate the different responsibilities of the Secret Service. They show that the Secret Service is responsible for protecting important government officials and foreign diplomats, as well as enforcing laws related to financial crimes to protect U.S. currency.