an attorney general does what as a public official

by Dr. Beaulah Monahan 7 min read

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.

What does the United States Attorney General do?

While varying from one jurisdiction to the next due to statutory and constitutional mandates, the role of attorney general typically includes: Issuing formal opinions to state agencies. Acting as public advocates in areas such as child support enforcement, consumer protections, antitrust and utility regulation. Proposing legislation.

Is the Attorney General an officer or a member of the legislature?

As the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Garland leads the Justice Department’s 115,000 employees, who work across the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide. Under his leadership, the Department of Justice is dedicated to upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting the civil rights of all Americans.

Is the Office of Attorney General at common law allowed to participate?

The attorney-general is the chief law officer of the state in much. the same way that the prosecuting attorney is the legal advisor of. the county or that the federal attorney-general is the chief law officer. *This article is part of a study of criminal prosecution undertaken by Pro-.

What is the prosecutor's responsibility if the Attorney-General does not act?

Yes. There are legal steps to remove a person from elected office no matter what the population or form of government. The first is Ouster by Action found in 51 O.S. Section 91 and requires the action of the Attorney General. The second is Removal of Officers found in 22 O.S. Section 1181 and a District Attorney must begin the proceedings.

image

What is the role of an Attorney General?

The role of the Attorney General is defined in section 51 of the Constitution of Botswana, as the principal legal adviser to the Government. The Attorney General is also an ex-officio Member of Cabinet, and serves on various policy level committees.

Is Attorney General a public office?

New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Friday found that the office of the attorney general would not be a public authority and fall within the ambit the Right to Information Act (RTI).Feb 3, 2017

What is the term of Attorney General?

There is no fixed term for the Attorney General of India. The Constitution mentions no specified tenure of Attorney General. Similarly, the Constitution also does not mention the procedure and ground of his removal. You may know the following facts about his office: He can be removed by the President at any time.

What is the difference between Attorney General and Solicitor General?

The attorney general is usually a highly respected senior advocate of the court, and is appointed by the ruling government. ... The solicitor general is the second law officer of the state after the attorney general.Jan 14, 2006

What is a public agency?

The definition of “public agency” under the Open Meetings Act is narrower than the definition of “public agency” under the Open Records Act and does not include “state and local government officers” and bodies that receive “at least 25% of their funds from state or local authority funds;” this means, for example, that the mayor of a city is a public agency for open records purposes but not for open meetings purposes.

What is the open meeting act?

In 1974, the General Assembly enacted the Open Meetings Act, KRS 61.800 to KRS 61.850, which establishes a right of access to public meetings. The General Assembly recognized that the formation of public policy is public business and should not be conducted in secret. KRS 61.800. The Act requires that all meetings of a quorum of the members of a public agency where public business is discussed, or action is taken, must occur in meetings open to the public, unless an exemption applies. KRS 61.810(1). Members of the public may attend any public meeting and a public agency may not require an individual to identify himself or herself to attend a public meeting. KRS 61.840. The courts have stated that the Open Meetings Act must be “interpreted most favorably to the public” since “failure to comply with the strict letter of the law in conducting meetings violates the public good.”

What are the laws of open records in Kentucky?

Kentucky’s laws on open records and open meetings affect every public agency. It is important that a public agency is prepared to deal with the array of legal questions that arise under those laws. This resource provides an analysis of the Open Records and Open Meetings Acts and is designed to assist the public in understanding the Open Meetings and Open Records Acts, and public officials in complying with the Open Meetings and Open Records Acts. It contains a description of the general requirements of the laws, the procedures that must be followed in implementing them, the exemptions a public agency may invoke in appropriate circumstances, and the role of the Attorney General in interpretation and enforcement. This resource also provides new information related to temporary changes to the Open Records and Open Meetings Acts under the state of emergency related to the novel coronavirus. Because the Attorney General’s Office acts as an impartial tribunal in open records and open meetings appeals, we cannot advise the public, public agencies, and public officials on how to deal with specific situations.

How long does it take to appeal a public agency denial?

A complainant must appeal a public agency’s denial of, or failure to respond to, his or her open meetings complaint within sixty days, and if he or she does not do so the appeal is time-barred. There is no similar statutory limitation on bringing an open records appeal.

What is KRS 61.878(1)(k) or (l)?

If an agency relies on the exemption in KRS 61.878(1)(k) or (l), which exempt records required to be confidential under federal or state law, the agency must also cite the specific federal or state law requiring that the record remain confidential.

Does the Open Meetings Act require agencies to conduct business?

The courts have stated that the Open Meetings Act does not require agencies to conduct business “only in the most convenient locations at the most convenient times.” The Act is “designed to prevent government bodies from conducting [their] business at such inconvenient times or locations as to effectively render public knowledge or participation impossible, not to require agencies to seek out the most convenient time or location.” Knox Cty. v. Hammons, 129 S.W.3d 839 (Ky. 2004).

Can a public agency conduct a video conference?

Video or teleconference meetings. SB 150 does not prohibit in-person meetings. Rather, SB 150 § 1(8)(b) states that a public agency “may conduct any meeting, including its regular meeting, by live audio or live video teleconference during the period of the state of emergency.” Ordinarily, a public agency must use video teleconferencing technology so that members can be both seen and heard. However, SB 150 dispenses with the video requirement “if the public agency does not have the technological capacity or availability to provide for a live video teleconference.” SB 150 § 1(8)(b)2.b. In that case, a public agency may conduct an open meeting using audio teleconferencing. SB 150 § 1(8)(b).

What is a public official?

The definition of “public official” also encompasses non-employees who are“consultants” when they perform certain duties much like employees. (Regulation, § 18701,subd. (a)(2).) To qualify as a consultant, an individual must be:

How do public officials disclose their economic interests?

Public officials disclose their private economic interests in a document entitled“Statement of Economic Interests” or the “Form 700.” There are three basic types of statementsof economic interests: assuming office, annual, and leaving office. As the names of thesestatements suggest, public officials must report their economic interests when they begin theirpublic position, annually thereafter, and when they leave their public position. In addition,candidates for elective offices (other than appellate or supreme court justices), must filecandidate statements. (§§ 87201 & 87302.3.) The requirements for filing candidate statementsare set forth in the Act. (Id.)

What is the meaning of the 87100?

The Act applies to “public officials.” (§ 87100.) As that term is used in the Act, itencompasses not only elected and appointed officials in the ordinary sense of the word, but alsoany “member, officer, employee or consultant of a state or local government agency, ” including“other public officials who manage public investments.” (§ 82048; Regulation, § 18701, subd.(b)(1).)2

When is materiality presumed?

As discussed in Step 4 above, materiality generally is presumed when the public official’seconomic interests are directly involved in the governmental decision unless the official candemonstrate that the decision will have no financial effect on the official or his or her interests.( Regulation, § 18705, subd. (a).)

Who must file astatement of economic interests?

These include constitutional officers, members of the Legislature, county supervisors,mayors, city council members, planning commissioners, city managers, city attorneys, andjudges.

How long is the prohibition period?

The prohibition is effective for one year, starting when the official permanently leaves hisor her local agency, or when official is on temporary leave from work at the agency.(Regulation, § 18746.3, subd. (b)(1).)

When an interest is indirectly involved, there is no presumption of materiality?

When an interest is indirectly involved, there is no presumption of materiality; rather, thepublic official must find and apply the applicable materiality regulation with its graduatedthresholds to the governmental decision in question. (Regulation, §§ 18705-18705.5.)

What is the role of the Attorney General Stein?

Attorney General Stein and the Department of Justice help citizens know their rights and responsibilities under the law. We actively prosecute officials who violate the public’s trust.

What is public record?

Public records are documentary materials that are made or received by government agencies in North Carolina in carrying on public business. Public records include documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts or other documentary material, ...

What are the rules for open meetings?

Open Meetings Laws specify: 1 Which State and local public bodies must hold open meetings 2 What type of notice public bodies must give before holding meetings 3 Under what circumstances a public body may enter into a closed session 4 How citizens may enforce the open meetings law if a public body attempts to exclude them from a meeting or fails to give proper notice

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

§ 552) generally provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, of access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions thereof) are protected by one of the nine exemptions or by one to three special law enforcement record exclusions.

Is a criminal investigation public records?

§ 132-1.4 (a) states that records of criminal investigations conducted by public law enforcement agencies or records of criminal intelligence information compiled by public law enforcement agencies are not public records.

Do government agencies charge fees for inspecting public records?

Government agencies may not charge fees for inspecting public records. Fees for certifying copies of public records are provided by law. However, unless otherwise provided by law, no public agency shall charge a fee for an uncertified copy of a public record that exceeds the actual cost to the public agency of making the copy. N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2 (b)

image