8 attorney generals who can make a difference

by Iva Conroy 4 min read

How many states have an attorney general?

Who chooses the Attorney General of Maine?

Why are state attorneys general restless?

How many states have no law degree requirements?

How long can an attorney general serve in Tennessee?

How many states require an attorney general to be a citizen?

How many states have a state resident requirement for an attorney general?

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Who is the highest Attorney General?

The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States....United States Attorney GeneralFlag of the United States Attorney GeneralIncumbent Merrick Garland since March 11, 2021United States Department of JusticeStyleMr. Attorney General (informal) The Honorable (formal)13 more rows

Who is the attorney general of the United States now?

General Merrick B. GarlandMeet the Attorney General Attorney General Merrick B. Garland was sworn in as the 86th Attorney General of the United States on March 11, 2021.

What powers does the US Attorney General have?

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to: Represent the United States in legal matters. Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.

Who was the attorney general of the United States in 1962 63?

President Kennedy's appointment of his 35-year-old brother Robert Francis Kennedy as the attorney general of the United States was controversial.

Who was the first Attorney General?

Edmund Jennings RandolphThe Judiciary Act of 1789 established the Office of the Attorney General. On September 26, 1789, Edmund Jennings Randolph was appointed the first Attorney General of the United States by President George Washington.

How much does the attorney general of the United States make?

Salary Ranges for Attorney Generals The middle 57% of Attorney Generals makes between $101,019 and $254,138, with the top 86% making $560,998.

What is the role of Attorney General?

(1) The Attorney-General, as the principal legal adviser, shall tender legal advice and opinion to the National Executive following a request to do so and shall of his own initiative give such advice where it appears to him necessary or appropriate for legal advice to be given on a matter.

Why is the Attorney General important?

Attorneys general are the top legal officers of their state or territory. They advise and represent their legislature and state agencies and act as the “People's Lawyer” for the citizens. Most are elected, though a few are appointed by the governor.

How is Attorney General removed?

He can be removed by the President at any time. He can quit by submitting his resignation only to the President. Since he is appointed by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers, conventionally he is removed when the council is dissolved or replaced.

Who was the youngest Attorney General?

He was one of the War Hawks who advocated war with Britain. In 1814 Madison offered Rush the choice of Secretary of the Treasury or Attorney General of the United States, of which positions Rush chose the latter. With his appointment as Attorney General, Rush became the youngest person to serve in that office.

Who was the 1980s Attorney General?

California Former Attorneys GeneralMatthew Rodriguez2021 – 2021John K. Van de Kamp1983 – 1991George Deukemejian1979 – 1983Evelle J. Younger1971 – 1979Thomas C. Lynch1964 – 197129 more rows

Who was Trump's first AG?

Jeff SessionsSucceeded byDon FosterPersonal detailsBornJefferson Beauregard Sessions III December 24, 1946 Selma, Alabama, U.S.Political partyRepublican33 more rows

Who is the attorney general of the United States 2022?

2022 Attorney General Election InformationStatePrimaryDemocratic CandidatesAlaskaAugust 16, 2022ArizonaAugust 2, 2022Kris MayesArkansasMay 24, 2022Jesse GibsonCaliforniaJune 7, 2022Rob Bonta36 more rows

Who was Donald Trump's attorney general?

Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III (born December 24, 1946) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 84th United States Attorney General from 2017 to 2018.

Who was Trump's last attorney general?

William BarrPresidentDonald TrumpDeputyRod Rosenstein Ed O'Callaghan (acting) Jeffrey A. RosenPreceded byJeff SessionsSucceeded byMerrick Garland30 more rows

What is the role of the attorney general?

[48] The common law functions of the Attorney-General include power to initiate and terminate criminal prosecutions, power to grant immunity from prosecution, advising on the grant of pardons, issuing fiats in relator actions, instituting contempt of court proceedings, appearing as amicus curiae in matters of public ...

List of State Attorney Generals of the United States - RealCarTips.com

3 Steps Every Car Buyer Needs to Take to Save Maximum Money The key to getting the best deal is to gather price or lease bids from as many local dealers as possible.

STATES’ QUALIFICATIONS FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

Table 1 provides a cross section of states ' qualifications for attorney general concerning age, citizenship, residency, electoral status, and bar membership and indicates if they are constitutional or statutory. It represents a compilation of information from State Attorneys General Powers and Responsibilities, issued by NAAG, and The 2009 Book of the States, issued by the Council of State ...

What's the difference between a State's Attorney, a District Attorney ...

Answer (1 of 13): HELPFUL BACKGROUND: A government has three main legal needs: (1) managing criminal litigation; (2) managing civil litigation and (3) providing advice to the government. As you might imagine, this creates a need for many attorneys. The government therefore needs a structure for...

Attorneys General with term limits - Ballotpedia

In 16 states, the office of Attorney General is subject to term limits.Most states with term limits specify that an office-holder may serve two consecutive terms. Most states do not specify that the two terms are an absolute limit, so that a former Attorney General may usually run again after a time, usually unspecified, out of office.

Attorney General (state executive office) - Ballotpedia

The attorney general is an executive office in all 50 states that serves as the chief legal advisor and chief law enforcement officer for the state government and is empowered to prosecute violations of state law, represent the state in legal disputes and issue legal advice to state agencies and the legislature. In most states, the attorney general has a substantial influence on a state's ...

How many states have an attorney general?

The attorney general is appointed by the governor in five states: Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wyoming. In Maine, the attorney general is chosen by the state legislature, while in Tennessee the choice falls to the state supreme court .

Who chooses the Attorney General of Maine?

In Maine, the attorney general is chosen by the state legislature, while in Tennessee the choice falls to the state supreme court .

Why are state attorneys general restless?

One possible explanation for state attorneys general becoming more restless and political-minded is the office's rising media profile, which is a function of the rising capacity of the internet and mainstream press to produce and distribute content on controversial cases involving the AGs . Another, possible more likely, explanation is the office's status as a springboard to higher office - to the governorship, especially. Nine sitting governors as of November 2013 previously served as attorney general of their respective states:

How many states have no law degree requirements?

Considering the myriad legal responsibilities carried by state attorneys general, it may surprise you to discover that a whopping 19 states have no set statutory or constitutional provisions requiring an individual to hold a law degree, or have a valid license to practice law, in order to serve in the office of attorney general.

How long can an attorney general serve in Tennessee?

1, Tennessee, is appointed by the State Supreme Court to serve a term of eight years. 1, Virginia, has a provision specifying an individual can serve as attorney general for an unlimited number of terms.

How many states require an attorney general to be a citizen?

U.S. citizen. 38 states have a formal provision stating an attorney general must be a United States citizen, while 12 do not have a formal provision. Of the 38 states, 5 specify the number of years and 33 do not.

How many states have a state resident requirement for an attorney general?

1, Oklahoma, sets the limit at 31. 1, Colorado, sets the limit at 27. 1, Mississippi, sets the limit at 26. State Citizen. 43 states have a formal provision stating an attorney general must be a state resident, while 7 do not have a formal provision. Of the 43 states, 24 specify the number of years and 19 do not.

Why is the Maine governor suing the attorney general?

In Maine, the state’s governor is suing its attorney general for refusing to represent him in federal lawsuits. In Louisiana, the state attorney general has sued the governor over a four-million-dollar funding dispute.

Why did Governor Raimondo ask for the 38 Studios?

Governor Raimondo—along with other Rhode Island political leaders—nevertheless asked the court to order the release of the 38 Studios materials based on the “profound and sustained public interest in [the deal’s] underlying circumstances and consequences.”. This request was not unprecedented.

Do state governors and attorneys general clash?

When State Governors and Attorneys General Clash. State governors and attorneys general typically find themselves on the same side of the law. Nonetheless, an overwhelming majority of states directly elect their attorneys general. This framework creates a natural opportunity for conflicts to erupt, particularly when officials act to protect ...

Did the Governor's petition satisfy the grand jury?

The Court held that the Governor’s petition did not satisfy any of the exceptions governing the release of grand jury materials provided by Rhode Island law.

Is the grand jury process secret?

It is a bedrock principle of the grand jury process that investigations are conducted in secret. When, as here, no indictments issued, the circumstances that allow for the release of documents and testimony are few and far between.

Will the governor appeal the Rhode Island case?

The Governor has not stated whether she will appeal the decision. The Rhode Island General Assembly is in any event poised to consider legislation that would deem any record created by the State Police or Attorney General’s Office related to the investigation a public record.

What is an attorney general?

Attorneys-General in common law jurisdictions, and jurisdictions with a legal system which is partially derived from the common law tradition, share a common provenance.

Who is the Attorney General of Australia?

The Attorney-General is the minister responsible for legal affairs, national and public security, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Michaelia Cash is the current Attorney-General.

What is the main legal advisor to the government?

In common law jurisdictions, main legal advisor to the government. In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have executive responsibility for law enforcement, ...

What is the role of the Attorney General of Kenya?

In Kenya the Attorney General is the Principal Legal Adviser to the Government and ex officio Member of Parliament and Cabinet. His duties include the formulation of legal policy and ensuring proper administration of Kenya's legal system including professional legal education. Assisting the Attorney General in the performance of his duties as Principal Legal Adviser to the Government are:

What is the mission of the Attorney General of Ireland?

The Mission of the Office of the Attorney General is to provide the highest standard of professional legal services to Government, Departments and Offices. The Attorney General of Ireland is the legal adviser to the Government and is therefore the chief law officer of the State.

When was the Attorney General of Tonga established?

The office of Attorney General was established in Tonga in 1988, and was held jointly with the portfolio of Justice Minister until the two were separated in 2009. The Attorney General is defined as the "Chief Legal Advisor to Government".

Who is a power of attorney?

The term was originally used to refer to any person who holds a general power of attorney to represent a principal in all matters. In the common law tradition, anyone who represents the state , especially in criminal prosecutions , is such an attorney.

How many states have an attorney general?

The attorney general is appointed by the governor in five states: Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wyoming. In Maine, the attorney general is chosen by the state legislature, while in Tennessee the choice falls to the state supreme court .

Who chooses the Attorney General of Maine?

In Maine, the attorney general is chosen by the state legislature, while in Tennessee the choice falls to the state supreme court .

Why are state attorneys general restless?

One possible explanation for state attorneys general becoming more restless and political-minded is the office's rising media profile, which is a function of the rising capacity of the internet and mainstream press to produce and distribute content on controversial cases involving the AGs . Another, possible more likely, explanation is the office's status as a springboard to higher office - to the governorship, especially. Nine sitting governors as of November 2013 previously served as attorney general of their respective states:

How many states have no law degree requirements?

Considering the myriad legal responsibilities carried by state attorneys general, it may surprise you to discover that a whopping 19 states have no set statutory or constitutional provisions requiring an individual to hold a law degree, or have a valid license to practice law, in order to serve in the office of attorney general.

How long can an attorney general serve in Tennessee?

1, Tennessee, is appointed by the State Supreme Court to serve a term of eight years. 1, Virginia, has a provision specifying an individual can serve as attorney general for an unlimited number of terms.

How many states require an attorney general to be a citizen?

U.S. citizen. 38 states have a formal provision stating an attorney general must be a United States citizen, while 12 do not have a formal provision. Of the 38 states, 5 specify the number of years and 33 do not.

How many states have a state resident requirement for an attorney general?

1, Oklahoma, sets the limit at 31. 1, Colorado, sets the limit at 27. 1, Mississippi, sets the limit at 26. State Citizen. 43 states have a formal provision stating an attorney general must be a state resident, while 7 do not have a formal provision. Of the 43 states, 24 specify the number of years and 19 do not.

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Current Officeholders

Qualifications

  • Qualifications for the office of attorney general vary widely from state to state. Minimum age 35 states have a formal provision specifying minimum age, while 15 have no formal provision. Of the 35 states: 1. 7 designate an officeholder must be at least 30 years of age. (FL, ID, KY, NM, NY, PA and VA) 2. 10 require a minimum age of 25. (AL, AZ, GA, IL, LA, MT, NV, ND, UT and WV) 3. 13 re…
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Elected vs. Appointed

  • Attorneys general are chosen in four different ways; they are either popularly elected or appointed by the governor, the state legislature, or the state supreme court. The office is elective in 43 states and chosen by a state government organ in seven. The attorney general is appointed by the governor in five states: Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wyoming. In Maine, th…
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Budgets and Official Compensation

  • Budget
    The difference in budgets for the offices across the states reaches $735,982,631. Nebraska has the smallest budget, spending only $5,795,369 a year on the attorney general's office, while Californiaspends the most with a budget of $741,778,000. This can be because the number of di…
  • Salary
    While the salaries also differ, they do not necessarily coincide with the budgets. While Oregon is on our top five highest budgets chart, the attorney general has the second lowest salary, at $77,200. In fact, of the top five highest budgets, only Washingtonhas a compensation also ranke…
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Commentary

  • Among the chief criticisms of the office is that state attorneys general have strayed from their traditional defense-based lawyer role to assume a more proactive and political posture, often in ways that overstep the legal authority of the office and/or what would be historically recognized as the limits of institutional etiquette. In some cases, attorneys general look inward to test the b…
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See Also

External Links

  1. Website of the National Association of Attorneys General
  2. The Council of State Governments,"Book of States: Table 4.19 Attorneys General 2013," accessed November 2, 2013
  3. The Council of State Governments,"Attorneys General: Valuing Privacy in the Digital Age," July 1, 2013
  1. Website of the National Association of Attorneys General
  2. The Council of State Governments,"Book of States: Table 4.19 Attorneys General 2013," accessed November 2, 2013
  3. The Council of State Governments,"Attorneys General: Valuing Privacy in the Digital Age," July 1, 2013
  4. The Council of State Governments,"Attorneys General: Pillars of Hope: Attorneys General Unite Against Human Trafficking," July 2, 2012