An important mission of the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) is to develop and administer technical and developmental assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of foreign justice sector institutions and their law enforcement personnel, so they can effectively partner with the Department of Justice in combating terrorism, trafficking in persons, organized crime, corruption, and financial crimes.

OPDAT carries out justice sector institution building, including technical assistance and skills development support, to enhance foreign justice sector cooperation.

The rule of law and the rights of individuals are the cornerstones of any free society. Crime and misuse of the public trust undermine confidence in government and discredit free market economies. The effective and fair administration of justice offers to the state and its citizens the greatest protection from lawlessness and support for basic human rights, and, when extant in foreign countries, provides the U.S. with a stronger base of foreign cooperation in the fight against organized crime, illegal narcotics, and terrorism.

More than ever, there is a critical link between U.S. Government national security interests, and the creation of sustainable foreign law enforcement institutions in emerging democracies, failing/failed states and post conflict environments. OPDAT is uniquely positioned to deliver development and technical assistance for rule of law institution building missions.

In Iraq, OPDAT provides legal expertise to a well developed justice system as it transitions from a confession based system to a process that is based on internationally recognized rule of law principles.

OPDAT has seven RLAs in Iraq; two are stationed in Baghdad and five are deployed to Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Iraqi provinces. As members of an interdisciplinary reconstruction effort, OPDAT RLAs work with local police and judges to identify and overcome obstacles to effective, fair prosecutions. The RLAs stationed in Baghdad advise the U.S. Embassy, Central Criminal Court of Iraq, Iraq Ministry of Justice, and the Iraq Higher Juridical Council on criminal justice, rule of law, and judicial capacity building.