the attorney general is most similar to which county-level role?

by Willis Ankunding 4 min read

How are attorneys general chosen in each state?

In Maine, the attorney general is chosen by the state legislature, while in Tennessee the choice falls to the state supreme court . Of the 50 Attorneys General, 25 do not have a formal provision specifying the number of terms allowed.

What is an attorneys general and what do they do?

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.

Why is the Attorney General called the people's lawyer?

It is this last common aspect of the role, regarding an attorney general's duty to serve the people, that gives it the name the "People's Lawyer," and distinguishes it from its medieval origins.

Is the Attorney General an appointee of the President?

At the federal level, the Attorney General is a member of the Presidents’s cabinet (and thus is an appointee, who must be confirmed by the Senate). The AG heads the US Department of Justice, which includes the FBI and the US Attorneys. The US Attorneys investigate and prosecute violations of federal law in each state.

What is the role of the Attorney General of the United States?

The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. In matters of exceptional gravity or importance the Attorney General appears in person before the Supreme Court.

What is the UK equivalent of the Attorney General?

the Solicitor GeneralThe Attorney General's Office (AGO) is a United Kingdom government department that supports the Attorney General and their deputy, the Solicitor General (together, the Law officers of the Crown in England and Wales).

What is the role of the Attorney General UK?

The Attorney General is chief legal adviser to the Crown and has a number of independent public interest functions, as well as overseeing the Law Officers' departments.

What does the Attorney General do in Canada?

The Attorney General of Canada provides legal services to the Government. The Attorney General also oversees federal prosecutions within the framework of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act and is supported by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, which is independent from the Department of Justice.

Is Attorney General part of Parliament?

The Attorney General of India can be a member of any committee of the Parliament. The Attorney General of India possesses no voting rights when he takes part in proceedings of the Parliament. The Attorney General of India is not considered as a government servant, rather is a part of the Union Executive.

What is an Attorney General reference?

An Attorney General Reference (AG Ref) is an appeal by the prosecution from the Crown Court to the Court of Appeal when they believe a sentence does not reflect the seriousness of the crime or on a point of law. It could end up with an increased sentence.

What is the difference between Attorney General and Solicitor General UK?

Her Majesty's Solicitor General for England and Wales, known informally as the Solicitor General, is one of the law officers of the Crown in the government of the United Kingdom. They are the deputy of the Attorney General, whose duty is to advise the Crown and Cabinet on the law.

Does the Attorney General oversee the CPS?

Oversight. The Attorney General oversees the work of the CPS, meeting regularly with the DPP and requesting briefings on matters of public or Parliamentary concern. The Attorney General (or their deputy, the Solicitor General) answer for the CPS's performance and conduct in Parliament.

Does the attorney general have to be a lawyer UK?

As per the passing of the Law Officers Act 1997, duties can be delegated to the Solicitor General, and any actions are treated as if they came from the attorney general....Attorney General for England and WalesStyleThe Right HonourableReports toPrime Minister of the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Justice8 more rows

What is the difference between chief justice and Attorney General?

In layman terms, Chief Justice is a Judge and Attorney General is a Lawyer, both have distinct roles to play. The Attorney General of India is the highest law officer of the country and he/she is the chief legal advisor to the GoI. He is responsible to assist the government in all its legal matters.

What is the role of Alberta justice?

Legal Services to the Provincial Government – Alberta Justice provides legal advice and assistance to all government ministries, and represents them, if necessary, in matters before the courts and tribunals.

What does the attorney general do in BC?

Incumbent The attorney general is responsible for ensuring that public administration is conducted according to the law and as such, they are the chief advisor of law to the government, in addition to overseeing the court system and Sheriff Service.

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.

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 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 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.

Who is responsible for the administration of legal affairs in Trinidad and Tobago?

According to the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, the supreme law of the nation, The Attorney General shall be responsible for the administration of legal affairs in Trinidad and Tobago and legal proceedings for and against the State shall be taken— (a) in the case of civil proceedings, in the name of the Attorney General; (b) in the case of criminal proceedings, in the name of the State.

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 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 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 job of an attorney general?

The primary job of a state attorney general is to serve as chief legal adviser to the agencies and legislative organs that make up his or her state's government, in addition to the citizens residing within the state. It is this last common aspect of the role, ...

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.

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.

What is the job description of a county attorney?

The job description for a county attorney depends on the county where the attorney practices. Generally speaking, county attorneys are public employees who work at the county level, representing the interests of the government in court in addition to advising public officials on legal matters .

Why do people apply for county attorneys?

People usually apply for positions as county attorneys because they are interested in serving the public interest.

What kind of attorney can work on child custody?

A county attorney may work on child custody disputes.

Do county attorneys practice law privately?

They do not practice law privately and the scope of the cases they handle depends on whether there is also a district attorney in the region. If there is no district attorney, county attorneys handle civil and criminal cases all the way to the level of district court. If one is present, county attorneys practice only in county court ...

Who decides to take a criminal case to trial?

A county attorney who is working on a criminal case may decide to take the case to trial.

Do county attorneys work in court?

Some county attorneys practice only in county court and may not be involved in criminal cases.

Do county attorneys work in criminal cases?

Some county attorneys practice only in county court and may not be involved in criminal cases. The structure of a county attorney's office varies. For some county attorneys, the focus of the work is on civil matters like restraining orders, child custody disputes, and so forth, paired with advising county officials by request.

What is the job of the Attorney General?

The Attorney General (federal) is the chief law enforcement officer of the USA and heads the Department of Justice. Duties inclue oversight of federal prosecutors, federal marshalls, and the FBI. (Although the FBI has some degree of indendence, it still reports to the Attorney General.)

What does the Attorney General oversee?

Attorneys general oversee justice and law enforcement agencies for the state. For example, at the federal level, the Attorney General oversees all Department of Justice activities and is considered the chief law enforcement officer. The Solicitor General oversees lawsuits, specially appellate lawsuits concerning the government. Anytime anyone sues the government or the government sues someone (and sometimes even when the government isn't a party) and the case goes before the Supreme Court, the Solicitor General or designee argues the cased. Many states copy this general template, though someti

How long is the Solicitor General of India?

The Solicitor General of India is appointed for a period of 3 years. The Solicitor General of India is the secondary law officer of the country, assists the Attorney General, and is himself assisted by several Additional Solicitors General of India. Like the Attorney General for India, the Solicitor General and the Additional Solicitors General advise the Government and appear on behalf of the Union of India.

What does OAG stand for in court?

In states without a solicitor general, the attorney general (the OAG) represents the state in court. For this reason they refuse to answer questions about law from the public. However, if you live in one of the few states listed in the link above, the separation of this function should make the AG approachable to residents who have questions about law. If they refuse to help the public, they may be in breach of their fiduciary duty to society, and liable to a tort claims lawsuit.

What is the role of the S.G.?

The Solicitor General of the US has a more limited and specialized role. The S.G. and his or her office argues cases before the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) when the executive branch gets involved or makes an argument.

Who represents the US government in front of the Supreme Court?

The Solicitor General represents the US government in front of the Supreme Court. The Solicitor General is I think the 3rd or 4th ranked official in the Justice Department under the AG.

Who represents the U.S. government?

The Attorney General represents the U.S.A. in prosecutions of federal offenses, and offers advice to federal officials where the federal government is a party. The Solicitor General represents the U.S. Government ONLY at the Supreme Court, where the federal government is a party. One represents a government agency (the Dept. of Justice), the other represents the federal government's position. The Attorney General is the immediate supervisor of the Solicitor General. BOTH are appointed by the POTUS.

Which article of the Constitution sets forth the authoritative capacity of Congress?

a list of items found in Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution that set forth the authoritative capacity of Congress.

Which article of the Constitution establishes the supreme law of the land?

Article 6, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution establishes the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, and U.S. Treaties as "the supreme law of the land."

What percentage of the yearly budget does the President control?

The controllable spending is the 30 percent of the yearly budget that the president and congress have control over.

What is a republican system of government?

a republican system of government where a head of government is also head of state and leads an executive branch that is separate from a legislative branch.

What is the power to hear a case for the first time?

the power to hear a case for the first time, as opposed to appellate jurisdiction, when a court has the power to review a lower court's decision.

What are the two types of rights?

Consisted of two types of rights: legal rights-those bestowed onto a person by a given legal system; and natural rights-those not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government, and therefore universal and inalienable.

What was the first document forced onto King of England by a group of his subjects, the feudal baron?

is an Angevin charter originally issued in Latin in the year 1215. It was the first document forced onto a King of England by a group of his subjects, the feudal barons, in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their rights.

How much bail can a defendant deposit?

Defendants may deposit up to 10 percent of the full bail with the court. The full amount will be required if they do not appear. If they appear, the money will be refunded except for 1 percent. This is an example of:

Can a defendant plead guilty to a lesser sentence?

This case ruled that a defendant can enter a guilty plea for a lesser sentence while maintaining his or her innocence.

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 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 ...

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.

How Does One Become Attorney General?

  • The position of Attorney General is an appointed one, nominated by the president and confirmed by the United States Senate. There is also a succession plan in place in the event there is no Attorney General due to absence or death, which allows the Deputy Attorney General to assum…
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What Are The Most Important Powers of The Attorney General?

  • The Attorney General will provide advice and guidance to the president and other high ranking officials regarding the law and how it should be implemented. This provides the Attorney General with a great deal of power, as they would have the ability to shape how laxly or punitively the law is to be applied. As the Justice Department has such wide-reaching tentacles of power in matter…
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Who Is The Current Attorney General?

  • William Barr is the current Attorney General of the United States. He replaced Jeff Sessions in 2019 after President Trump fired Sessions. Barr has served as Attorney General twice, once during the George H.W. Bush administration from 1991 to 1993, and currently in the Trump administration. Barr has been consistent in his determination that the Executive branch claims a…
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What Agencies Are Under The Department of Justice?

  • The Department of Justice is responsible for most of the legal business of the government, and therefore, many of the law enforcement agencies throughout the country. There are six litigating divisions in the department: 1. Antitrust 2. Civil 3. Civil Rights 4. Criminal 5. Environmental and Natural Resources 6. Tax Each division is headed up by an Assistant Attorney General, and man…
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History of The Attorney General

  • The Office of the Attorney General was createdin 1789 and was intended to be a one-person position. The person in the position was supposed to be “learned in the law” and was tasked with conducting all suits in the Supreme Court and advising the president and cabinet in law-related matters. The work quickly grew, requiring the addition of multiple assistants and private attorne…
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List of Attorneys General

  1. William Barr, 2019 – Present
  2. Jeff Sessions, 2017 – 2018
  3. Loretta Lynch, 2015 – 2017
  4. Eric Holder, Jr., 2009 – 2015
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The Rantt Rundown

  • The Department of Justice, created in 1789, has grown from a part-time, one-person office to become the world’s largest law office, encompassing sixty different agencies and offices. The Attorney General is in charge of the Department and is responsible for all aspects of the Justice Department. The head of this vast bureaucracy has enough impact to shape the way laws are tr…
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Current Officeholders

  • Political parties
    The chart below is a breakdown of the political parties pertaining to the state executive office of attorney general. For other state executive offices, click here.
  • List of Current Attorneys General
    Note:If an office becomes vacant, it will appear in a separate table below the list of current officeholders. List of All Current State Attorneys General in the United States:
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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, ...
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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