Us Code § 1585a - Special agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service: authority to execute warrants and make arrests

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 1585a — Special agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service: authority to execute warrants and make arrests, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 1585a. Special agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service: authority to execute warrants and make arrests

(a) Authority.—The Secretary of Defense may authorize any DCIS special agent described in subsection (b)—

(1) to execute and serve any warrant or other process issued under the authority of the United States; and

(2) to make arrests without a warrant—

(A) for any offense against the United States committed in the presence of that agent; and

(B) for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if the agent has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing the felony.


(b) Agents To Have Authority.—Subsection (a) applies to any DCIS special agent whose duties include conducting, supervising, or coordinating investigations of criminal activity in programs and operations of the Department of Defense.

(c) Guidelines on Exercise of Authority.—The authority provided under subsection (a) shall be exercised in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense and approved by the Attorney General and any other applicable guidelines prescribed by the Secretary of Defense or the Attorney General.

(d) DCIS Special Agent Defined.—In this section, the term "DCIS special agent" means an employee of the Department of Defense who is a special agent of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (or any successor to that service).

(Added Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, §1071(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1897.)

About This Section

10 U.S.C. § 1585a is part of Title 10 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 10 U.S.C. § 1585a. 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.

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Sources

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 1585a

What does United States Code § 1585a cover?

Section 1585a ("Special agents of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service: authority to execute warrants and make arrests") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 1585a?

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Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 1585a apply to my situation?

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Sources & Verification

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