The US Marshals Service occupies a uniquely central position in the federal justice system. It is involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative. Approximately 4,800 deputy marshals and career employees perform the following nationwide, day-to-day missions.
 
The Marshals Service is responsible for apprehending wanted fugitives, providing protection for the federal judiciary, transporting federal prisoners, protecting endangered federal witnesses, and managing assets seized from criminal enterprises.

U.S. Marshals Judicial and Courthouse Security:
•    in court with defendants in custody;
•    protecting judges, prosecutors and witnesses;
•    conducting threat analyses and investigations;
•    conducting courtroom and courthouse security;
•    planning courthouse facility renovations;
•    managing courthouse security systems; and
•    conducting courthouse and residential security surveys.
U.S. Marshals Fugitive Apprehension:
•    conducting domestic and international fugitive investigations;
•    working closely on fugitive task forces and special cases with local, state, Federal, and international law enforcement agencies
•    planning and implementing extraditions and deportations of fugitives;
•    conducting financial and technical surveillance on specific fugitive investigations; and
•    serving court papers, which is also known as service of process.
U.S. Marshals Prisoner Security and Transportation:
•    fingerprinting all defendants in the Federal court system;
•    securing prisoners and defendants in custody in the cellblock,
•    transporting prisoners and defendants in custody between the jail and courthouse, between Federal judicial districts and states;
•    receiving prisoners from other federal law enforcement agencies;
•    providing prisoner housing and other services related to federal detainees; and
•    conducting jail inspections
U.S. Marshals Protection of Witnesses:
•    protecting government witnesses;
•    producing protected witnesses for court proceedings, and
•    re-documenting and relocating protected witnesses.
U.S. Marshals Operations Support:
•    performing security, rescue, and recovery activities for natural disasters and civil disturbances;
•    planning and implementing emergency operations including Continuity of Government activities;
•    performing audits and inspections of U.S. Marshals operations;
•    providing missile escort services;
•    providing protection for the Strategic National Stockpile; and
•    protecting Government Officials
U.S. Marshals Asset Forfeiture:
•    seizing, managing and disposing of forfeited assets.