Special attorneys — Us Code Code § 543

Us Code Code § 543 — Special attorneys. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 543. Special attorneys

(a) The Attorney General may appoint attorneys to assist United States attorneys when the public interest so requires, including the appointment of qualified tribal prosecutors and other qualified attorneys to assist in prosecuting Federal offenses committed in Indian country.

(b) Each attorney appointed under this section is subject to removal by the Attorney General.

(c) Indian Country.—In this section, the term "Indian country" has the meaning given that term in section 1151 of title 18.

(Added Pub. L. 89–554, §4(c), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 618; amended Pub. L. 111–211, title II, §213(a)(1), July 29, 2010, 124 Stat. 2268.)

Historical and Revision Notes
1966 Act
DerivationU.S. CodeRevised Statutes and

Statutes at Large

(a) 28 U.S.C. 503. [None].
5 U.S.C. 298. July 28, 1916, ch. 261, §1 (6th par. on p. 413), 39 Stat. 413.
(b) 28 U.S.C. 504(b) (2d sentence, less applicability to assistant United States attorneys). [None].

The text of former section 298 of title 5 is omitted as unnecessary. The position so authorized has not been filled in recent years, and the authority is preserved by this section and revised section 3101 of title 5, United States Code.

In subsection (b), the word "is" is substituted for "shall be".

1948 Act

Prior section 503.—Based on section 312 of title 5, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees (R.S. §363).

Other provisions of section 312 of title 5, U.S.C., 1940 ed., are incorporated in sections 507 [now 509 and 547] and 508 [now 548] of this title.

Changes were made in phraseology.


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 543, act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 911, related to oath of office for United States Marshals, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), and reenactment in section 563 of this title by section 4(c) of Pub. L. 89–554.

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–211, §213(a)(1)(A), inserted ", including the appointment of qualified tribal prosecutors and other qualified attorneys to assist in prosecuting Federal offenses committed in Indian country" before period at end.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–211, §213(a)(1)(B), added subsec. (c).

About This Section

28 U.S.C. § 543 is part of Title 28 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 28 U.S.C. § 543. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

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Common questions

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It addresses "Special attorneys". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

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