USAOs and Department litigating divisions must submit Urgent Reports regarding a major development involving any of the circumstances set forth below:

1. • Law enforcement emergencies - e.g., riots, taking of hostages, hijacking, kidnapping, prison escapes with attendant violence, threats or actual serious bodily injury or harm inflicted on or caused by Department personnel;
2. • Security incidents, as provided in JM 3-15.160 for incidents involving USAOs, and comparable incidents involving litigating divisions;
3. • High profile civil rights incidents, as set forth in JM 8-3.135;
4. • Investigations involving elected or appointed officials serving in a judicial, legislative, or executive-level position in a federal, state, local, or tribal government entity or a political subdivision (note that JM 9-85.110 specifically addresses the filing of Urgent Reports regarding investigations involving a Member of Congress or congressional staff member);
5. • Investigations of declared candidates for federal or statewide office, a campaign for federal or statewide office, or a senior presidential campaign staff member or advisor;
6. • Non-frivolous allegations of serious misconduct by the Department or a specific Department employee, including criticism by a member of Congress, a court, or other senior government officials of the Department's handling of a particular matter;
7. • Major conflicts with other government agencies or departments;
8. • Issues or events that may be of major interest to the news media, Congress, or the President; and
9. • Other information so important as to warrant the personal attention of the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General within 24 hours.

[updated September 2024]