what are the functions of the attorney general

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 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.

When was the Office of the Associate Attorney General created?

The Office of the Associate Attorney General (OASG) was created by Attorney General Order No. 699-77 on March 10, 1977.

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 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.

When does the Attorney General prepare a report?

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [ Oct. 7, 2008 ] , and each year thereafter, the Attorney General shall prepare and submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1) and a description of the activities conducted under subsection (b) (3).

Who designates a supervisory special agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation?

The Attorney General shall designate a Supervisory Special Agent in the Civil Rights Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice.

What is the supervisory special agent responsible for?

The Supervisory Special Agent shall be responsible for investigating violations of criminal civil rights statutes that occurred not later than December 31, 1979 , and resulted in a death.

Who is responsible for privacy policy?

The Attorney General shall designate a senior official in the Department of Justice to assume primary responsibility for privacy policy.

Who may coordinate investigative activities with State and local law enforcement officials?

In investigating a complaint under paragraph (1), the Deputy Chief may coordinate investigative activities with State and local law enforcement officials, and eligible entities.

Who designates a deputy chief in the Civil Rights Division?

The Attorney General shall designate a Deputy Chief in the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

What is the Freedom of Information Act?

expeditiously comply with requests for information received pursuant to section 552 of title 5 , United States Code , (commonly known as the ‘ Freedom of Information Act ’) and develop a singular, publicly accessible repository of these disclosed documents.

What is the duty of the Attorney General?

" (a) Duty of Attorney General .-The Attorney General shall insure that each component of the Department of Justice having criminal law enforcement responsibilities with respect to the prosecution of organized crime and controlled substances violations, including each United States Attorney's Office, attaches a high priority to the enforcement of civil statutes creating ancilla ry sanctions and remedies for such violations, such as civil penalties and actions, forfeitures, injunctions and restraining orders, and collection of fines.

What is the purpose of the Attorney General's notice system?

The Attorney General shall establish and maintain a litigation notice system that provides timely information about all civil litigation pending in the courts in which the Federal Government is a party or has a significant interest .

What is the Director of Drug Control Policy?

18, 1988], the Director of National Drug Control Policy (the Director) in consultation with the Attorney General, shall report to the Congress on the necessity to establish a new division or make other organizational changes within the Department of Justice in order to promote better civil and criminal law enforcement. In preparing such report, the Director shall consider restructuring and consolidating one or more of the following divisions and programs-

When did the Attorney General award grants to state law enforcement agencies?

" (a) In General .-The Attorney General may award grants to State or local law enforcement agencies for expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution by them of criminal offenses, involving civil rights, that occurred not later than December 31, 1979, and resulted in a death.

Who is authorized to support law enforcement training activities in foreign countries?

Pub. L. 104–132, title VIII, §801, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1304 , provided that: "The Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury are authorized to support law enforcement training activities in foreign countries, in consultation with the Secretary of State, for the purpose of improving the effectiveness of the United States in investigating and prosecuting transnational offenses."

Who can make provisions for reorganization plan?

The Attorney General may from time to time make such provisions as he shall deem appropriate authorizing the performance of any of the functions transferred to him by the provisions of this Reorganization Plan by any officer, employee, or agency of the Department of Justice.

What is the purpose of the Attorney General?

While executing the functions conferred by the Constitution and the Office of the Attorney-General Act, the Attorney-General should provide efficient and professional legal services to the Government and the public for the purpose of facilitating, promoting and monitoring the rule of law, the protection of human rights and democracy.

What is the role of the Attorney General in Kenya?

The Functions of the Attorney-General in Kenya. According to Article 156, the Attorney General in Kenya is the principal legal advisor for the national government. They are responsible for representing the national Government in court or any other legal proceedings to which the national Government is a party (other than criminal proceedings).

What is the job of a trust administrator?

review and oversee legal matters pertaining to the administration of estates and trusts;

What is the job of a legislative drafter?

draft legislative proposals for the Government and advise the Government and its agencies on legislative and other legal matters;

What is the mandate of the State Law Office and the Department of Justice?

In summary, the mandate of the State Law Office and the Department of Justice is to: promote the rule of law and public participation; support the Government’s investment in socio-economic development; promote transparency, accountability, ethics and integrity; spearhead policy, legal and institutional reforms;

What are the human rights and implement the Constitution?

human rights and implement the Constitution, access to justice including through promoting of legal aid, good governance, anti-corruption strategies, ethics and integrity, legal education and law reform, among others.

Who is the titular head of the bar?

The Attorney-General shall, by virtue of their office, be the titular head of the bar and shall take precedence in court in all matters whenever they appear in accordance with the Advocates Act (Cap. 16).

What is the role of the Attorney General of Florida?

The Attorney General is responsible for protecting Florida consumers from various types of fraud and enforcing the state’s antitrust laws.

What is the Attorney General's Office?

Within the Attorney General’s Office is the Office of Statewide Prosecution that targets widespread criminal activities throughout Florida including identity theft, drug trafficking and gang activity. The Attorney General's Office also conducts various programs to assist victims of crime.

Who defends the constitutionality of statutes duly enacted by the Legislature?

The Attorney General defends the constitutionality of statutes duly enacted by the Legislature and is authorized to issue formal legal opinions at the request of various public officials on questions relating to the application of state law.

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 often do attorneys general meet?

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. AGs may also serve as officers of this and other legal organizations and on various committees established to accomplish specific goals.

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.

How long can an AG serve?

Many states set limits on how many years their AG can serve, with the norm being a maximum of eight years. Only Virginia does not set a limit on how long their AG can serve.

How many states have an AG?

Some states have minimum age requirements for their AGs, while others do not. In 43 states, the AG is elected by popular vote. In the other seven states, the AG is appointed by the state government.

Can an attorney general intervene in local court cases?

Most states give their attorney general offices rather broad authority but some are more restrictive. For example, in some states, AGs can intervene in local prosecutions, while in others, only local prosecutors can do so.

Office of The Attorney General

Office of The Deputy 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: 1. Advise and assist the Attorney General and Deput...

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