Criminal Justice
Information resources for researching criminal justice topics
Government Resources for Criminal Justice Research
Note: Since January 20, 2025, some federal agency data and reports have been altered or removed from government webpages. Please contact a librarian if you cannot find the resource you're looking for
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National Criminal Justice Reference Service Virtual Library
The NCJRS Virtual Library has citations and abstracts to federal, state, and local government documents, books, research reports, journal articles, and unpublished research in the field of criminal justice. Some publications are available in full text.
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U.S. Department of JusticeThe mission of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights.
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Office of the Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. In matters of exceptional gravity or importance the Attorney General appears in person before the Supreme Court.
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Supreme Court of the United StatesThe Court is the highest tribunal in the Nation for all cases and controversies arising under the Constitution or the laws of the United States. As the final arbiter of the law, the Court is charged with ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under law and, thereby, also functions as guardian and interpreter of the Constitution.
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U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityOfficial website for the United States department of Homeland Security, a cabinet of the Executive branch.
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Military & Government Collection
This database has full text for over 400 military related periodicals and general interest magazines. It also contains primary documents in U.S. history and international history.
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Federal Bureau of PrisonsThe Federal Bureau of Prisons is a United States federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Justice that is responsible for the care, custody, and control of incarcerated individuals who have committed federal crimes; that is, violations of the United States Code.
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Tribal Court System - U.S. Department of the Interior Indian AffairsThere are approximately 400 Tribal justice systems throughout the Nation. These courts are partially funded through Public Law 638 Tribal Priority Allocations (TPA). Tribal sovereignty is protected throughout the Tribal justice system or through a traditional court. The BIA does not manage tribal justice systems; however, if individuals are looking for tribal contact information, please contact the Tribal Justice System. For Tribes that do not have their own Tribal justice system, the Court of Indian Offences (CFR Courts) provide that service on behalf of the Tribe (Title 25 CFR Part 11).
Find Government Reports
Search or browse the USA.gov departments and agency index to determine which department or agency administers services, policies, and conducts research related to your topic. Look for "library", "resources", "publications" or "research" on agency websites to find reports. You can also perform a targeted Google search outlined on the grey literature page of this guide.
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ProQuest CongressionalProQuest Congressional provides access to historical and current Congressional information and publications on all aspects of legislation dealing with life and public policy. Topics include scientific undertakings, historical events, social welfare, economic conditions, communication policies, and an endless array of other subjects.
The database indexes and provides full-text for Congressional Committee Prints, House and Senate Documents and Reports (Congressional Serial Set), Hearings, and Legislative Histories. It also provides member and committee information and political news, as well as access to the Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register, and the Congressional Record (1985-present). -
GovInfo
Free public access to official publications from all three branches of the Federal Government.
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Congressional Research Service (CRS) ReportsCRS research divisions: American Law; Domestic Social Policy; Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade; Government and Finance; Knowledge Services; and Resources, Science and Industry.
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MetaLibMetaLib, a service of the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP), is a federated search engine that searches multiple U.S. Federal government databases, retrieving reports, articles, and citations while providing direct links to selected resources available online.
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Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP)The CGP is the finding tool for federal publications that includes descriptive information for historical and current publications as well as direct links to the full document, when available. Users can search by authoring agency, title, subject, and general keywords, or click on "Advanced Search" for more options.
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United States National Archives and Records AdministrationNational Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is America's record keeper. It's the Government agency that not only preserves documents and materials related to the United States but also makes sure people can access the information.
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Reports & Publications - Office of the Director of National IntelligenceThe core mission of the ODNI is to lead the IC in intelligence integration, forging a community that delivers the most insightful intelligence possible. ODNI’s National Centers integrate and coordinate the activities of the entire IC, or in some cases, broader U.S. Government in the IC’s major mission areas: counterterrorism, counterintelligence and security, counterproliferation, cyberintegration and counterinfluence.
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Congressional Budget OfficeCBO is strictly nonpartisan; conducts objective, impartial analysis; and hires its employees solely on the basis of professional competence without regard to political affiliation. CBO produces numerous reports with specific options or broad approaches for changing federal tax and spending policies.
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The World Factbook - CIAThe World Factbook provides basic intelligence on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, environment, communications, transportation, military, terrorism, and transnational issues for 265 world entities.
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Freedom of Information Act Electronic Reading RoomThe FOIA Electronic Reading Room is provided as a public service by the Directorate of Digital Innovation's Information Management Services. Here you can view documents released through the FOIA and other CIA release programs. If you would like to view our previously released documents and collections, visit the Historical Collections page to Browse the Collections.