how do us attorney generals affect civil rights

What does the Attorney General do under civil rights laws?

The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division responds to complaints related to civil rights and civil liberties. The office takes enforcement action when necessary and can mediate disputes. The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division provides information to residents and visitors in Massachusetts about civil rights and civil liberties, including answering questions from the …

How do you enforce civil rights laws in the United States?

The Office also has jurisdiction to seek civil injunctions or other equitable relief to protect against ethnic intimidation (hate crimes). If you believe your civil rights have been violated, please reach out to the Office of Attorney General’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section to file a complaint. This is a paragraph. This is a paragraph.

Can the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division settle claims?

The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, created in 1957 by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all persons in the United States, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on ...

What is the role of the state Attorney General?

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

What power does the US attorney general have?

As the chief officer of the Department of Justice, the attorney general enforces federal laws, provides legal counsel in federal cases, interprets the laws that govern executive departments, heads federal jails and penal institutions, and examines alleged violations of federal laws.

What role does the US attorney general play?

Washington, D.C. The United States attorney general (AG) leads the United States Department of Justice, and is the chief lawyer of the federal government of the United States. The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters.

Who does the US attorney general represent?

The U.S. Attorney General oversees the Department of Justice, represents the United States in litigation, and advises the President and heads of federal executive departments on legal matters. The U.S. Attorney General is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Who is in charge of civil rights?

Kristen Clarke is the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. In this role, she leads the Justice Department's broad federal civil rights enforcement efforts and works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all who live in America.Feb 4, 2022

How does Attorney General influence executive branch?

The Attorney General is the head of the DOJ and chief law enforcement officer of the federal government. The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters, advises the President and the heads of the executive departments of the government, and occasionally appears in person before the Supreme Court.

Who brings forth the charges in a civil case?

Federal civil juries consist of six persons. plaintiff - The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit. plea - In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges in open court. A plea of nolo contendere or an Alford plea may also be made.

Are US attorneys appointed for life?

Appointment. The U.S. attorney is appointed by the President of the United States for a term of four years, with appointments subject to confirmation by the Senate. A U.S. attorney continues in office, beyond the appointed term, until a successor is appointed and qualified.

How many statutory responsibilities do US attorneys have?

three statutory responsibilitiesThe United States Attorneys have three statutory responsibilities under Title 28, Section 547 of the United States Code: the prosecution of criminal cases brought by the Federal Government; the prosecution and defense of civil cases in which the United States is a party; and.Sep 22, 2016

What are the 5 civil rights?

Examples of civil rights include the right to vote, the right to a fair trial, the right to government services, the right to a public education, and the right to use public facilities.Jan 20, 2022

What are the 10 civil rights?

Civil LibertiesFreedom of speech.Freedom of the press.Freedom of religion.Freedom to vote.Freedom against unwarranted searches of your home or property.Freedom to have a fair court trial.Freedom to remain silent in a police interrogation.

What is a pre-investigation review?

Pre-investigation review includes taking actions such as speaking to and reviewing materials received from a complainant and reviewing publicly available information.

Does the Department of Justice give legal advice to private litigants?

It is the longstanding policy of the Department of Justice to avoid providing legal advice or information to private litigants developed through our investigations. It is appropriate, however, to advise private citizens who are not litigants of their rights under the federal laws that the Attorney General is authorized to enforce, including the citizens’ right to be represented by private attorneys. In addition, in cases in which the United States is a co-litigant with a private plaintiff, it is appropriate to consult with the co-litigant about evidence the United States expects to submit to the court and otherwise to cooperate and share information with the co-litigant where doing so advances the interest of the United States and is consistent with applicable law and the rules of the court.

What is the Civil Rights Division?

The Appellate Section of the Civil Rights Division handles appeals of civil and criminal civil rights cases in which the United States is a party, including cases that were handled by the Civil Rights Division, a United States Attorney’s Office, or jointly by both offices in federal district court.

What is the role of the Department of Justice?

The Department of Justice has authority to seek to remedy employment discrimination by state and local governments and their agencies and political subdivisions.

What is the purpose of Executive Order 11246?

Executive Order 11246 forbids discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin by such contractors or subcontractors. The Department of Labor, which retains primary enforcement responsibility, may, if unable to obtain compliance, refer the case to the Department of Justice for appropriate legal proceedings. The text of Executive Order 11246, as amended, is set forth immediately following Section 2000e of Title 42 of the United States Code.

What is the Educational Opportunities Section?

The Educational Opportunities Section enforces federal civil rights statutes that prohibit public and private schools, local education agencies, and state education agencies from engaging in discriminatory practices. The Educational Opportunities Section’s work covers a variety of legal issues involving elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education. The laws for which the Educational Opportunities Section has primary responsibility include Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000c-6, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1706 to 1710. The Section also enforces Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act with respect to students enrolled in public educational institutions ( see JM 8-2.400 ). Finally, the Section enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( see JM 8-2.241); Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 (a), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( see JM 8-2.400) against federal funding recipients. When a United States Attorney’s Office receives Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 allegations involving an educational institution, that office should contact the Educational Opportunities Section as soon as practicable.

What is Title II?

§§ 2000a to 2000a-6, prohibits discrimination on account of race, color, religion, or national origin in places of public accommodation, such as hotels, restaurants, and theaters. The Civil Rights Act authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action to address a pattern or practice of Title II violations. Under Title II, the United States can pursue only injunctive relief. The statute does not authorize the Attorney General to pursue individual complaints of discrimination in the area of public accommodations, but individuals may pursue such claims privately under Title II and under other civil rights statutes. When an individual files a Title II action, the statute authorizes the Attorney General, in the discretion of the court, to intervene if the Attorney General certifies that the case is of general public importance.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke

Kristen Clarke serves as the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

About the Division

The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, created in 1957 by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

Featured Items

Statement of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Before the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties#N#Testimony (8/16/21)

What is the role of an attorney general?

As chief legal officers of the states, commonwealths, District of Columbia, and territories of the United States, the role of an attorney general is to serve as counselor to state government agencies and legislatures, and as a representative of the public interest.

What is the People's Lawyer podcast?

The People’s Lawyer is a biweekly podcast from NAAG that explores the role of state and territory attorneys general as chief legal officers and their work protecting the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

What is the role of a public advocate?

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. Enforcing federal and state environmental laws. Representing the state and state agencies before the state and federal courts.

What is the Attorney General's Office looking into?

In addition to investigating criminal operations, the attorney general’s office looks into scams targeting seniors, violations of the state’s clean air and water laws and evaluates whether mergers break antitrust laws. On April 26, voters in both parties will have a choice for attorney general. Do the voters prefer a candidate with political ...

Who is Joe Peters?

Republican candidate Joe Peters was a Scranton police officer, an organized crime and drug prosecutor in the attorney general's office for 15 years, a federal mafia prosecutor and oversaw a White House drug trafficking program. He most recently served as Kathleen Kane’s spokesman for about eight months in 2013 and 2014.

What is the Roe v Wade ruling?

This was the 1992 landmark abortion ruling that upheld the basic tenet of Roe v. Wade that a woman has the right to an abortion. It established a new “undue burden” test, which struck down part of the Pennsylvania law which required wives to notify their husbands before getting an abortion.

Who is the chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners?

Shapiro is the chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and was appointed to be the chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency [PCCD] by Gov. Tom Wolf about a year ago.