Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§3053 Powers of Marshals and Deputies
Title 18 › PART II — CRIMINAL PROCEDURE › CHAPTER 203 — ARREST AND COMMITMENT › § 3053
Summary
U.S. marshals and their deputies can carry guns and can make some arrests without a warrant. They may arrest someone without a warrant if a federal crime happens in front of them, or if they have good reason to believe the person has committed or is committing a federal felony.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §3053
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
United States marshals and their deputies may carry firearms and may make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such felony.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on section 504a of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Judicial Code and Judiciary (June 15, 1935, ch. 259, § 2, 49 Stat. 378). Minor changes were made in phraseology.
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
Functions of all other officers of Department of Justice and functions of all agencies and employees of such Department, with a few exceptions, transferred to Attorney General, with power vested in him to authorize their performance or performance of any of his functions by any of such officers, agencies, and employees, by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3173, 64 Stat. 1261, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 3053
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102