what branch of government are state attorney generals in

Is the state Attorney General part of the federal government?

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 an attorneys general and what do they do?

The attorney general is an executive office in all 50 states that serves as the chief legal advisor and chief law enforcement officer for the state government and is empowered to prosecute violations of state law, represent the state in legal disputes and issue legal advice to state agencies and the legislature.

When was the Office of the Attorney General created?

Nov 01, 2014 · The Attorney General is part of the executive branch. The Attorney General is in charge of the Department of Justice (commonly known as the DOJ). Among other things, the DOJ enforces federal criminal law in the United States. Federal prosecutors who work for the DOJ are called United States Attorneys.

Does the Attorney General serve three masters?

A state attorney general's office is typically a part of the executive branch of the state government. He or she is generally entrusted with the duties of prosecuting suits and proceedings involving state government and advising the governor and other administrative officers of the state government. Many state statutes also establish the state attorney general as the official …

Is the attorney general in the executive branch?

Is the attorney general a state or federal position?

Is the attorney general over the Supreme Court?

What is the attorney generals leader called?

What branch of government is the Justice Department?

What does state attorney general do?

Who is the highest law enforcement official in the US?

Who is responsible for enforcing laws at the state level?

What does the judicial branch do?

Who is the head of justice department?

Who is the current Attorney General of the US?

How do you pluralize Attorney General?

How many states have an attorney general?

The attorney general is directly elected in 43 states and Washington, D.C. The attorney general is appointed by the state Legislature in Maine, by the state Supreme Court in Tennessee, and by the governor in the remaining five states. Compensation of state attorneys general (2017)

What is the job of the Attorney General?

The attorney general is an executive office in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., that serves as the chief legal advisor and chief law enforcement officer for the state government and is empowered to prosecute violations of state law, represent the state in legal disputes and issue legal advice to state agencies and the legislature.

How many attorney generals did the Democratic Party control in 1977?

In 1977, the Democratic Party held a total of 27 elected attorney general offices to the Republican Party 's 16. The Democratic lead in attorney general offices would be maintained through the 1990s, as opposed to the other three top executive offices, which became majority-Republican following the 1994 midterm elections. In the 2010 midterm elections, the Republican Party gained a lead in elected attorney general offices, with 22 elected attorneys general to the Democrats' 21. The Democratic victory in the 2013 Virginia election for attorney general caused the party to briefly regain a 22-21 majority of elected attorney general offices. This lead was lost in the 2014 midterm elections. After that point, the Republican Party continued to grow its majority control of elected attorney general offices.

How much does an attorney general make?

According to compensation figures for 2017 compiled by the Council of State Governments in the Book of the States, the highest salary for an attorney general is $182,688 in Tennessee, while the lowest is $80,000 in Colorado. To view the compensation of a particular attorney general, hover your mouse over the state.

How many states have the power to appeal a criminal case?

Attorneys general: Power to represent state in criminal appeals. The attorney general has the power to represent the state in criminal appeals in 46 states, although this power is restricted in five of those states. Attorney general term limits. Attorney general term limits.

Which states have elected an attorney general in 2015?

Three states held elections for attorney general in 2015: Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi. In Kentucky, Andy Beshear (D) won election to the attorney general seat. Democrat Jim Hood was re-elected in Mississippi, while Republican Jeff Landry defeated incumbent Buddy Caldwell, also a Republican, in a runoff in Louisiana.

Who was the attorney general in 2013?

One state, Virginia, held a regularly scheduled attorney general election in 2013. State Senators Mark Herring (D) and Mark Obenshain (R) faced off in the general election on November 5, 2013, and the race was considered too close to call until the State Board of Elections certified the results of the race on November 25, 2013, naming Herring the victor by a margin of 165 votes. Since the margin was equal to or less than 0.5 percent of the total vote, Obenshain, as the losing candidate, was entitled to request a publicly financed recount, which he did on November 27. The recount began on December 26, and Obenshain conceded to Herring two days later, giving a Democrat control of the office for the first time in almost two decades.

What is the job of an attorney general?

Attorney General. The chief law enforcement officer of the United States or of a state government, typically serving in an Executive Branch position. The individual represents the government in litigation and serves as the principal advisor to government officials and agencies in legal matters.

When was the Attorney General created?

The office of the attorney general was created by the First Congress in the Judiciary Act of 1789 (An Act to Establish the Judicial Courts of the United States, ch. 20, § 35, 1 Stat. 73, 92–93). The First Congress did not expect the attorney general—a part-time employee with scant pay, no staff, and little power—to play a major role in ...

What was the first act to establish the Attorney General's Office?

The office of the attorney general was created by the First Congress in the Judiciary Act of 1789(An Act to Establish the Judicial Courts of the United States, ch. 20, § 35, 1 Stat. 73, 92–93). The First Congress did not expect the attorney general—a part-time employee with scant pay, no staff, and little power—to play a major role in the emerging federal government. As the members of the First Congress established a system for the enforcement of federal laws, their primary concern was to protect state and individual freedoms and to avoid the creation of a central legal system that would allow the tyrannies they had experienced as American colonists under George III. Therefore, the Judiciary Act gave the attorney general just two principal duties: (1) to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court of the United Statesthat concerned the United States and(2) to give an opinion on questions of lawwhen asked to do so by the president or heads of other executive departments.

Why did the early attorneys general spend little time arguing before the Supreme Court?

The early attorneys general spent little time arguing before the Supreme Court because few cases had traveled through the nation's developing court system and even fewer warranted Supreme Court review. Together, the first three attorneys general—Edmund Randolph, William Bradford, and Charles Lee—represented the United States in the Supreme Court only six times in their collective years in office.

What was the early attorney general's restriction?

Furthermore, early attorneys general were specifically restricted by the Judiciary Act from participating in lower-court actions. District attorneys (known in the early 2000s as U.S.

Why did Congress create a solicitor of the Treasury?

For example, in the early 1800s, Congress created a solicitor of the treasury to handle all suits for the recovery of money or property in the United States— a move that further complicated the attorney general's efforts to fully look after the interests of the government.

When did the Attorney General's Office begin to be remedied?

The lack of centralized authority and the lack of basic institutional support for the office of the attorney general began to be remedied by Congress in the early nineteenth century.

Which branch makes rules about particular aspects of general policy?

Executive branch agencies make rules about particular aspects of general policy.

How many members are in the legislative branch?

The legislative branch includes the legislature, which is comprised of the House of Representatives with a limit of 105 members and the Senate with 39 members.

What is the role of the governor in the legislature?

The governor is responsible for preparing and submitting to the legislature both a fiscal year operating budget and a five-year capital outlay program. The legislature appropriates funds for these and other purposes. The governor may veto any line item in an appropriation bill, but the legislature by a two-thirds vote may override a gubernatorial veto, but this has occurred only twice in modern times. The governor may call the legislature into special session and specify the subjects to be considered. In addition to the general appropriation bill, the governor often suggests other legislation. These “ administration bills ” are typically introduced by legislators referred to as the governor’s floor leaders. Administration bills usually receive serious consideration. Proposed constitutional amendments are not subject to the veto.

What is general appropriation?

The General Appropriation is an itemized bill that contains appropriations for the ordinary operating expenses of government, public charities, pensions, and public debt.

When is the legislature required to reapportion representation in each house?

The legislature is required to reapportion the representation in each house by the end of the year following the year in which the state’s population is reported to the president of the United States for each decennial federal census, on the basis of total population shown by such census.

How many terms can a governor serve?

The governor is elected for a four-year term and may serve only two consecutive terms. However, a governor who has served two terms is eligible to serve again after being out of office for one term. Serving more than half of a partial term is considered a full term.

What is the executive branch of Louisiana?

Article IV, Section 1. The executive branch is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the constitution and laws passed by the legislative branch. The governor is the chief executive officer of the state, although the governor shares control of the state’s executive branch with a large number ...

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Contact Information

Contact information for the Attorney General and the Department of Law can be found below. If you have a specific question, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page first to see if your question may have already been answered.

Kenai District Attorney's Office

Scot H. Leaders, District Attorney Trading Bay Professional Center 120 Trading Bay Road, Suite 200 Kenai AK 99611-7716

What is the judicial department in Connecticut?

The Judicial Department is composed of the Superior, Appellate, and Supreme courts. Except for probate judges, who are elected by the voters of the town or district they serve, all judges are nominated by the governor and appointed by the General Assembly. Connecticut has no county government.

How many officers are there in Connecticut?

Voters elect six state officers: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Attorney General. All have four-year terms. Connecticut voters also elect two U.S. Senators and five U.S. Representatives. The General Assembly or legislature has a Senate and a House of Representatives.