Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) are agreements between two or more countries that facilitate cooperation in legal matters. These treaties allow countries to request and provide assistance in criminal investigations and prosecutions, such as sharing evidence, locating witnesses, or serving legal documents. MLATs help streamline the process of gathering information across borders, ensuring that justice can be served more effectively. They are essential for combating international crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and terrorism, by enabling law enforcement agencies to work together more efficiently.