role of state attorney general

by Prof. Gerard Lubowitz II 4 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. Select your state to connect to your state attorney general's website.

What does a state Attorney General actually 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.

What is the state Attorney General in charge of?

The Role of the State Attorney General. Mr. James Tierney. Spring 2013 course. M 1:10pm - 3:10pm in WCC Room 4059. 2 classroom credits. The role of state attorneys general has dramatically expanded as these elected officials and their staff have become increasingly important actors in American jurisprudence. In the aftermath of their historic ...

Who does a state attorney general answer to?

The proper role of the state attorneys general is a recurring question for the national legal community. How should state attorneys general exercise their power? What are the limits of their authority in the enforcement of federal statutes or regulations? Does this sort of activity simply fill a vacuum, or does it usurp federal decision-making?

What are the duties of the Attorney General?

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. Select your state to connect to your state attorney general's website.

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.

What is the role of the States Attorney?

The state's attorney is a constitutional officer, part of the executive branch of state government, and his powers are executive powers. Duties of each state's attorney are: To commence and prosecute all actions, suits, indictments and prosecutions, civil and criminal, in the circuit court for his/her county.

What is the role of a state's Attorney General quizlet?

The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. a public official who acts as prosecutor for the state or the federal government in court in a particular district.

Which appoints the US attorney general quizlet?

The attorney general is nominated by the President of the United States and takes office after confirmation by the United States Senate.

What is a defendant quizlet?

defendant. in a civil suit, the person against whom a court action is brought by the plaintiff; in a criminal case, the person charged with the crime. original jurisdiction. the power of a court to hear a case first, before any other court.

Who is considered a state's head law enforcement officer quizlet?

The highest-ranking law enforcement official within a system; the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of a county, the attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer of a state, and the U.S. attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States.

Overview

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.

Selection

The most prevalent method of selecting a state's attorney general is by popular election. 43 states have an elected attorney general. 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 …

Defense of the state in federal lawsuits

State attorneys general enforce both state and federal laws. Because they are sworn to uphold the United States' constitution and laws as well as the state's, they often decline to defend the state in federal lawsuits.

See also

• State constitutional officer (United States)
• National Association of Attorneys General
• List of U.S. statewide elected officials

External links

• Listing of official State Attorney General websites