what are the duties of an attorney general

by Orville Wisozk 9 min read

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to:
  • Represent the United States in legal matters.
  • Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.
Oct 8, 2021

What does it take to be Attorney General?

Child support cases may be heard in court, if:

  • one of the parties is a victim of family violence and notifies the OAG that they have safety concerns,
  • the parties did not come to an agreement during their CSRP,
  • one of the parties is a minor, or
  • the OAG determines that the court process is appropriate in that case.

What are the powers of the Attorney General?

  • Perpetrators punched dozens of law enforcement officers, knocking some officers unconscious.
  • Some perpetrators tackled and dragged law enforcement officers. ...
  • Some perpetrators attacked law enforcement officers with chemical agents that burned their eyes and skin.
  • And some assaulted officers with pipes, poles, and other dangerous or deadly weapons.

More items...

What are the responsibilities of the US Attorney General?

The Department of Justice includes many important federal law enforcement agencies, such as:

  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI
  • The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA
  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF
  • The Bureau of Prisons
  • The Office of Justice Programs
  • The U.S. Attorneys
  • The U.S. Marshals Service

Does Attorney General have to be an attorney?

The Attorney General invariably has been, but is not legally required to be, a lawyer. The Constitution is silent as to his or her qualifications, and 28 U.S.C. 503 provides simply, “The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Attorney General of the United States.

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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 percentage of attorneys general are proficient in legal advice?

We calculated that 52 % of Attorneys General are proficient in Legal Advice, Counsel, and Administrative Law. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.

How many attorneys generals have a bachelor's degree?

Over half of attorneys general have graduated with a bachelor's degree. In fact, it seems 31.6% of people who became an attorney general earned a bachelor's degree. When it comes down to graduating with a master's degree roughly 10.7% in this career have them. If you're wanting to pursue this career, it seems it may be possible to be successful with a high school degree. In fact, most attorneys general have a college degree. But about one out of every eight attorneys general didn't attend college at all.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is a legal practitioner who specializes in understanding and interpreting laws and other legal matters. Their responsibilities revolve around providing legal counseling and advice, representing clients in different kinds of court proceedings, conducting research, collecting evidence, and coordinating with various experts. A lawyer must also manage and oversee the performance of assistants, paralegals, and other team members. Furthermore, there are instances when a lawyer must draft or manage documents such as contracts, trusts, deeds, and wills, assisting clients as needed.

What is the role of the Attorney General?

In June 1870 Congress enacted a law entitled “An Act to Establish the Department of Justice.” This Act established the Attorney General as head of the Department of Justice and gave the Attorney General direction and control of U.S. Attorneys and all other counsel employed on behalf of the United States. The Act also vested in the Attorney General supervisory power over the accounts of U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals.

What is the Office of the Associate Attorney General?

Office of the Associate Attorney General. The Office of the Associate Attorney General (OASG) was created by Attorney General Order No. 699-77 on March 10, 1977. As the third-ranking official at the Department of Justice, the ASG is a principal member of the Attorney General’s senior management team. The major functions of the ASG are to:

Who created the Office of the Deputy Attorney General?

Office of the Deputy Attorney General. On May 24, 1950, Attorney General J. Howard McGrath created the Office of the Deputy Attorney General (ODAG). The Deputy Attorney, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the Department's second-ranking official and functions as a Chief Operating Officer;

Who provides advice and opinions on legal matters?

Furnish advice and opinions, formal and informal, on legal matters to the President and the Cabinet and to the heads of the executive departments and agencies of the government, as provided by law.

What is the role of the ODAG?

The mission of the ODAG is to advise and assist the Attorney General in formulating and implementing Department policies and programs and in providing overall supervision and direction to all organizational units of the Department. The major functions of the DAG are to:

What does the Attorney General represent?

The attorney general must represent the public interest in the protection of any gifts, legacies, or devises intended for public or charitable purposes . All writs, summonses, or other processes served upon such officers and legislators must be transmitted by them to the attorney general.

What is the power of the attorney general?

General Powers and Duties (CGS § 3-125) The law gives the attorney general supervision over all legal matters in which the state is an interested party, except those over which prosecuting officers have direction.

When was the Office of Attorney General established?

SUMMARY. The Office of Attorney General was established by the legislature in 1897. The constitution requires a general election for attorney general every four years. This requirement was added to the constitution in 1974. The constitution does not impose any duties or confer any powers on the attorney general.

What is the job of a state attorney general?

Each state's attorney general is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the laws, as well as the ability to pass new legislation. The state attorney general also has the higher purpose of protecting the people of the state and their interests. Attorney general duties include providing consumer ...

Why do you need a bio for an attorney general?

Or if they are appointed to the job, they need an outstanding bio in order to be noticed for the appointment. The job of state attorney general isn't like jobs in private business, where employees receive performance reviews that may lead to a salary raise.

How many times does the Attorney General meet with the Attorney General?

The attorney general of each state also attends meetings where all the state attorneys convene, such as those of the National Association of Attorneys General, usually two to three times each year. They discuss issues relevant to all the attorneys general and listen to speakers talk about selected topics.

Can an AG handle all of the judicial divisions?

Of course, a state AG can't handle all of these tasks single-handedly. AGs rely on the heads of different divisions within the state's judicial system. These typically include civil, criminal, fraud and family divisions, in addition to the executive office and possibly other divisions depending on the state. The attorney general of each state also ...

Do state attorneys general work full time?

With so much to be accomplished, state attorneys general work full-time and often work overtime. They are on the go much of the time, rather than sitting behind a desk. The job can be a stressful one. Whether elected or appointed to the position, the AG has many people to keep happy.

Do all state AGs have a law degree?

State AGs are usually lawyers who typically have trial experience, either as prosecutors or in private practice. By law, though, 19 states do not have provisions mandating that their AG must have a law degree. Nevertheless, all of the AGs in those states do have law degrees and experience as a lawyer.

What is the job of an attorney general?

The attorney general is the chief legal representative for the state and serves as general counsel for most of the state’s government agencies. Each state’s attorney general manages all legal representation of the state in civil and criminal matters on a state and federal level. Most attorneys general manage specific assistance programs ...

Who is the head of the state's legal office?

R. Kimball. The State's Attorney General is the head of the state's legal office and is responsible for enforcing the law. A state’s attorney general is responsible for enforcing the law in the state where he or she was elected.

Is the Attorney General responsible for the state penal system?

These cases might be criminal or civil, depending upon the issue in the suit. In certain states, the state’s attorney general is responsible for representing the state penal system in an appeal to a federal court. The attorney general himself or herself cannot be present in court for each of these incidences, but a member ...

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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 assume …
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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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Office of The Attorney General

  • The position of Attorney General was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. In June 1870 Congress enacted a law entitled “An Act to Establish the Department of Justice.” This Act established the Attorney General as head of the Department of Justice and gave the Attorney General direction and control of U.S. Attorneys and all other counsel employed on behalf of the United States. Th…
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Office of The Deputy Attorney General

  • On May 24, 1950, Attorney General J. Howard McGrath created the Office of the Deputy Attorney General (ODAG). The Deputy Attorney, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the Department's second-ranking official and functions as a Chief Operating Officer; 25 components and 93 U.S. Attorneys report directly to the Deputy and 13 additional component…
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Office of The Associate Attorney General

  • The Office of the Associate Attorney General (OASG) was created by Attorney General Order No. 699-77 on March 10, 1977. As the third-ranking official at the Department of Justice, the ASG is a principal member of the Attorney General’s senior management team. The major functions of the ASG are to: 1. Advise and assist the Attorney General and Deput...
See more on justice.gov