what does assistant attorney general investigate

What does a state attorney general do?

Represents the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and trial courts in all the cases involving the state’s interest and defends in court state officers or employees ethically acting in their official capacities. Investigates and prosecutes persons accused of crimes at the request of the Governor or a county prosecutor.

What is an attorney general investigation or action?

An attorney general investigator works for a state or national attorney general's office. In this position, you investigate criminal activity and collect evidence that attorneys can use to prosecute suspected criminals. Your duties can vary from case to case. An attorney general investigator may collect audio, video, or images to use as evidence.

What does the Attorney General’s office not do?

Jun 25, 2014 · At the risk of hyperbole, an Attorney General can wake up one morning and decide to focus on a given company. It is therefore critical to understand what can trigger an Attorney General investigation.

What is the role of the Illinois Attorney General?

Division attorneys also assist District Attorneys General, through cross-designation, in some complex financial or environmental prosecutions and other criminal prosecutions with the exception of cases involving crimes against the person.

What does the AG do?

As the chief officer of the Department of Justice, the attorney general enforces federal laws, provides legal counsel in federal cases, interprets the laws that govern executive departments, heads federal jails and penal institutions, and examines alleged violations of federal laws.

Why would I get a letter from the DOJ?

If you receive a target letter, you are not being charged with anything or under arrest. However, it's often an indication that the government will likely follow up with a civil or criminal charge. Target letters can be sent out at various stages of an ongoing investigation.Sep 30, 2021

What are the duties of the PA attorney general?

He or she serves as the chief law enforcement officer of Pennsylvania and represents the state and its agencies in any action brought by or against them. The attorney general is responsible for collecting all debts, taxes, and accounts due to the state.

Can a letter be used as evidence?

Evidence is anything you use to prove your claim. Evidence can be a photograph, a letter, documents or records from a business, and a variety of other things. All evidence that is properly admitted will be considered by the judge or jury. Evidence is more believable and trustworthy than what a person says.

What does it mean to get a target letter?

A target letter is the means by which the federal government informs individuals that they are targets for criminal prosecution. In the simplest terms, it means the federal prosecutor believes the recipient has committed a crime.

How do I file a complaint with the PA Attorney General?

WHEN SHOULD YOU FILE A COMPLAINT You can download a complaint form from our website at www.attorneygeneral.gov or you can call our toll-free number, 1.800. 441.2555, to have a form mailed to you.

Who is the assistant Attorney General in Pennsylvania?

Michelle Henry, a 20-year veteran prosecutor, is First Deputy Attorney General, responsible for overseeing all legal, criminal and civil matters in the Office of Attorney General....Office of Public Engagement.Attorney GeneralTook officeLeft officeJosh ShapiroJanuary 17, 2017present12 more rows

Does Pennsylvania have a solicitor general?

Consequently, as the Solicitor General, Bruce Castor assumed the office as Acting Attorney General....Pennsylvania Attorney General.Attorney General of the Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaTerm lengthFour yearsFormation1683Salary$162,000 per yearWebsiteattorneygeneral.gov2 more rows

How are Attorney General investigations resolved?

Perhaps this conclusion may be reached informally whereby the investigation is closed with no action taken and documents returned, assuming state law permits. An investigation may also be closed by some less formal action, such as a letter agreement. Attorneys General typically prefer to resolve an investigation through execution with the respondent of an assurance of voluntary compliance (“AVC”). An AVC is often simply a recitation of stipulated facts describing the state’s position and the respondent’s position. An AVC also includes some type of injunctive relief, under which the respondent agrees to follow by relevant law, and perhaps some form of future monitoring and compliance plans. If the circumstances warrant based on consumer harm, monetary payments may also be made to complainants or a consumer restitution fund could be established. Investigative costs and fines are also a possibility if the conduct is sufficiently problematic or justifies some additional deterrent.

What is the role of the Attorney General of Illinois?

In Illinois, and across the nation, the Attorneys General serve as the law firm to the states. These offices has separate sections or divisions that focus on a particular area of law such as antitrust, Medicaid, consumer protection, and criminal law. Knowing the investigative powers of Attorneys General, and how to respond in the event of an investigation can ensure that minor regulatory issues do not grow into major problems. Should an investigation arise, the tension and balance is to achieve full cooperation while protecting privileges.

What is the Consumer Fraud Act of Illinois?

The Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (Consumer Fraud Act), 815 ILCS 505/1, et seq ., grants the Attorney General authority to enjoin a variety of consumer abuses such as fraud , deception, and misrepresentation. As with many state consumer statutes, the Consumer Fraud Act was patterned on Section 5 (a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. §41, et seq ., and in interpreting the Consumer Fraud Act “consideration shall be given to the interpretations of the Federal Trade Commission and the federal courts relating to Section 5 (a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act.” 815 ILCS 505/2. Based on the incorporation of this language, the Consumer Fraud Act is often referred to as a “mini-FTC act.”

How to protect yourself from a subpoena?

Additionally, a witness may protect himself from an improper subpoena by filing a timely motion to quash or modify in a state circuit court. Although modifying a subpoena is common, it is rare to quash a subpoena in its entirety, particularly given the broad discretion granted to the Attorney General.

What is the purpose of the Consumer Fraud Act?

The Consumer Fraud Act’s purpose is “to protect consumers and borrowers and businessmen against fraud, unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce.” 815 ILCS 505/1.

What is a CID in the US?

This process is sometimes referred to as a civil investigative demand (“CID”). To issue a CID, it is only necessary for an Attorney General to believe that a person has, or may be, engaged in unlawful conduct. Attorney General does not have the burden to prove unlawful conduct before issuing a CID.

What are objections to a subpoena?

Objections to a subpoena may consist of procedural defects as well as substantive ones, such as privilege. It is critical to analyze whether objections may exist before responding to a subpoena in order to avoid any claim of waiver.

What is the Criminal Appeals Division?

Criminal Appeals Division : The Criminal Appeals Division handles all appellate matters involved in procuring and then defending criminal judgments in the State’s appellate courts. Division attorneys are responsible for interlocutory, extraordinary, direct, and post-conviction appeals, and for defending state criminal judgments in state habeas corpus proceedings in both the trial and appellate courts. The division has a team of attorneys who work with the Governor’s legal counsel and Department of Correction attorneys in dealing with extradition and detainer matters. Division attorneys also spend a great deal of time advising District Attorneys General and their assistants and helping them work through complex legal issues.

What is the Consumer Protection Division?

Consumer Protection Division : The Consumer Protection Division protects consumers and businesses from unfair and deceptive trade practices, enforces state and federal antitrust laws, and enforces the Unauthorized Practice of Law statutes.

What is the Revenue Section?

Specifically, it represents the state’s interest by filing proofs of claims and administrative claims in bankruptcy cases where a state entity is owed a debt.

What is the Environmental Division?

Environmental Division : The Environmental Division enforces civil environmental protection laws regarding clean air, clean water, hazardous waste, and other areas. The division gives advice to and reviews regulations for the Department of Environment and Conservation and represents the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

What is an attorney general investigation?

Those who address these investigations or actions properly have the best chance of obtaining a positive outcome. An attorney general investigation can come in many forms, from a simple letter to a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) or subpoena.

What does experience counsel do?

Experienced counsel can help determine what is at the core of the investigation and who the real targets are – which can help limit the investigation or point it in the proper direction.

Who is David Klein?

David Klein is one of the most recognized attorneys in the telemarketing, technology, Internet marketing, sweepstakes and telecommunications fields. Skilled at counseling clients on a broad range of technology-related matters, David Klein has substantial experience in negotiating and drafting complex licensing, marketing and Internet agreements.

Is a cover up worse than a crime?

The cover-up often is worse than the crime. Third, contact experienced counsel immediately. Attorneys general commence investigations for a wide variety of reasons. Perhaps they are seeking information about, or are investigating, your industry generally.

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 OAG in New York?

New York State Executive Law Section 70-b mandated the establishment of an Office of Special Investigation (OSI) within the Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG), effective April 1, 2021 . This legislation represents the codification and the expansion of the role previously performed by the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit ...

What is the objective of OSI?

While OSI’s principal objective is to thoroughly investigate the incidents covered by Executive Law Section 70-b, in order to determine whether a prosecution is warranted , OSI also seeks to enhance transparency and strengthen public trust in the criminal justice system in these sensitive incidents.

What units comprise the Criminal Investigations Division?

The Criminal Investigations Division is staffed by commissioned peace officers and crime analysts who undertake a wide range of investigations and activities to support detection, prevention, and prosecution of crime.

What is the function of the Criminal Investigations Division?

The Criminal Investigation Division is a resource for local and county law enforcement and prosecution agencies who require investigative and/or prosecution assistance due to a lack of resources or a conflict of interest.