The Northern District of California stretches from Del Norte County in the north to Monterey County in the south. The District contains three major metropolitan areas in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose; an expanse of suburban and rural area; and more than 300 public companies centered on Silicon Valley. Nearly 9 million people live, work, and raise their families in the Northern District of California. In an effort to help protect these individuals, the United States Attorney's Office prosecutes violations of federal law and represents the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District. The attorneys who work in the office prosecute criminal violations, civil lawsuits against the government, and litigate actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.