how many attorney generals have there been

How many attorney generals are there? Of the 50 Attorneys General, 25 do not have a formal provision specifying the number of terms allowed. Of the 44 elected attorneys general, all serve four-year terms with the exception of Vermont, who serves a two-year term.

Full Answer

Who is the current Attorney General of the United States?

The attorney general is supported by the Office of the Attorney General, which includes executive staff and several deputies. Merrick Garland has been the United States attorney general since March 11, 2021. Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 which, among other things, established the Office of the Attorney General.

Is the US Attorney General elected or appointed?

U.S. attorney generals should be elected, not appointed. That would instill more independence for the nation’s top law enforcer without being politically beholden to a chief executive. If there is any office that necessitates neutrality, it is the attorney general. Attorney generals are elected in 45 state systems across the country.

Who was the first female Attorney General?

We look back in the Washington Week Vault to March 1993 when Janet Reno became the first female Attorney General. After a unanimous confirmation vote in the Senate, Reno immediately began tackling a "full plate of issues," according to TIME's Julie Johnson, including the aftermath of the Rodney King beating and issues of racial justice.

Who appoints the Attorney General?

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares speaks to the crowd during an inaugural ... In March 2021, a district court judge appointed by former President Barack Obama granted a request by President Donald Trump’s administration and a group of Republican ...

How long does an attorney general serve?

Elected attorneys general serve a four-year term, except in Vermont, where the term is two years. Seven states do not popularly elect an attorney general. In Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Wyoming, the attorney general is a gubernatorial appointee. The attorney general in Tennessee is appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court ...

What is the role of the Attorney General?

The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states, of the federal district, or of any of the territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those of the United States Department of Justice .

How many terms can an attorney general serve in Puerto Rico?

Many states have passed term limits limiting the selection to 2 consecutive terms (9 states); 2 terms maximum (4 states), but 33 states still have no term limits.

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.

Election information

All 50 states have an attorney general who serves as the state's chief legal officer. The attorney general is responsible for enforcing state law and advising the state government on legal matters. In many states, attorneys general play a large role in the law enforcement process.

Primary elections

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Important dates and deadlines

The table below lists important dates throughout the 2022 election cycle, including filing deadlines and primary dates.

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 .

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.

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 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.

How does an attorney general influence a state?

Attorneys general exert substantial influence on a state's approach to law enforcement. Attorneys general often set particular law enforcement priorities (e.g. drug law, civil rights violations or sexual crime) and focus extra resources on these issues. This puts them, in the words of the National Association of Attorneys General, at the "intersection of law and public policy." Forty-three states publicly elect their attorneys general, reinforcing the office's relationship with, and direct accountability to, the people, in contrast with the Kings Attorneys of the past, whose singular service to their version of governors must have left those being governed wanting.

How many generals are there in the US military?

The short answer is 653 generals. However, there is a lot more to explore. Join us in finding out more about this interesting topic of the United States military generals; go on!

How many 5 star generals are there?

There are also 5-star generals. However, these are generally used only during wartime. There have been nine 5-star generals in the past, but none as of right now. This rank is only available in the Army as the “General of the Army” and in the Air Force as the “General of the Air Force”. There is no equivalent rank in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

What is the role of a Brigadier General?

A Brigadier General helps the Commanding General oversee the planning and coordination of all missions. Whereas, in an infantry brigade, the Brigadier General is a unit commander with a Colonel as a deputy commander.

What is a general called?

Generals are also called general officers or GEN. They are commissioned officers who are a rank above field officers. There are four levels within the rank of general officers themselves, denoted as “stars”, from one-star to four-star.

How many soldiers are in a Lieutenant General?

Lieutenant General is the commander of corps-sized units with 20,000 to 45,000 soldiers. A Lieutenant General can also be a high-level staff officer at the major command headquarters or at the Pentagon as the head of a department.

What is a 1 star general?

1-star: At this level, the general is called a “Brigadier General” in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, and a “Lower Half Rear Admiral” in the Navy and Coast Guard.

How many stars are used at a time?

Typically, ranks above three stars are used temporarily or only one at a time. Moreover, for the same rank, there are different titles used at different times.

What was Charles Diggs's crime?

Charles Diggs (D-MI), convicted on 29 charges of mail fraud and filing false payroll forms which formed a kickback scheme with his staff. Sentenced to 3 years (1978).

How are convicted politicians arranged?

Although the convicted politicians are arranged by presidential terms in chronological order, many of the crimes have little or no connection to who is president. Since the passage of 20th Amendment on January 23, 1933, presidential terms have begun on January 20 of the year following the presidential election; prior to that, they began on March 4.

How long did John Dean serve?

John Dean (R) White House Counsel, convicted of obstruction of justice, later reduced to felony offenses and served 4 months.

Who was the Senator of Oregon in the land fraud scandal?

John Hipple Mitchell Senator (R-OR) was involved with the Oregon land fraud scandal, for which he was indicted and convicted while a sitting U.S. Senator (1905). Henry B. Cassel (R-PA) was convicted of fraud related to the construction of the Pennsylvania State Capitol (1909).

Who was Robert Smalls?

Robert Smalls (R-SC) U.S. Representative from South Carolina was charged with accepting a $5,000 bribe during 1877 in relation to a government printing contract and found guilty. Smalls was pardoned in 1879 by South Carolina Governor William Simpson.

What was Earl Butz's crime?

Earl Butz (R) United States Secretary of Agriculture. He was charged with failing to report more than $148,000 in 1978. Butz pleaded guilty to the tax evasion charge and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation and was ordered to make restitution. He served 25 days behind bars before his release.