what does montana attorney general do

by Amanda Crooks 6 min read

As the State's chief legal officer, the Attorney General is responsible for representing and defending Montana's legal positions and Montana's laws with other sovereign governments such as the federal government and other states.

Who is the state of Montana’s Attorney General?

Attorney General’s Office – Montana Department of Justice. The Attorney General’s Office, headed by Attorney General Austin Knudsen, and the Legal Services Division function as the lawyers for the State of Montana. The attorneys in the Office have expertise in a wide range of legal topics and handle a broad range of legal cases involving the State of Montana and its …

What does a state’s Attorney General do?

As Attorney General, Austin has made combating the drug pandemic and supporting law enforcement a main focus — ensuring that Montana is a safe place to live and raise a family.

Why did Austin run for Montana Attorney General in 2020?

Jun 08, 2020 · But I don’t think a Montana attorney general’s office is the place to do that.” Graybill and his campaign disagree, arguing that the candidate’s issues are essential public service. “Being denied life-saving medical care by an insurance company isn’t a ‘pie in the sky’ issue,” said campaign spokeswoman Ronja Abel.

Who is the current Attorney General?

Nov 17, 2021 · He litigated water rights and land issues for the Indian Resources Section of the ENRD for several years and then returned to Montana in 1995 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana. In the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he served as a line assistant in the Civil Division until 2006 when he was designated as Civil Chief. Mr.

image

What powers does the US Attorney General have?

Attorney General Powers and ResponsibilitiesIssuing 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.More items...

How much do attorney generals make Montana?

Attorney General of MontanaMontana Attorney GeneralOffice website:Official LinkCompensation:$141,0232022 FY Budget:$114,965,234Term limits:Two terms in a 16-year period14 more rows

What does the Attorney General do definition?

Definition of attorney general : the chief law officer of a nation or state who represents the government in litigation and serves as its principal legal adviser.

Who is the AG for Montana?

The Attorney General's Office, headed by Attorney General Austin Knudsen, and the Legal Services Division function as the lawyers for the State of Montana. The attorneys in the Office have expertise in a wide range of legal topics and handle a broad range of legal cases involving the State of Montana and its people.

How much do Montana state legislators make?

Legislator salariesState legislatorsSalaryPer diem$100.48/legislative day$126.12/day; For additional expenses, legislators will receive a primary $3,000 stipend and a secondary amount between $1,000 and $4,000 depending on the size of a legislator's district.

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.Feb 20, 2020

Is Attorney General a constitutional post?

The attorney general is selected by the Government and acts as its advocate, and hence is not a neutral person. Nevertheless, it is a constitutional authority, and his or her opinions are subject to public scrutiny.

What is the Montana Constitution?

The Montana Constitution addresses the duties of the attorney general in Article VI, Section 4 . Under Article VI, Section 4 (4): The attorney general is the legal officer of the state and shall have the duties and powers provided by law.

How long is the attorney general term in Montana?

Article VI of the Montana State Constitution stipulates that the attorney general is a publicly elected official who serves a term of four years. Terms begin the first Monday of January following election.

How does the Attorney General influence the referendum process in Montana?

First, the attorney general works with the secretary of state and with the submittors of proposed ballot measures to ensure the legality of ballot language. Second, the attorney general can issue opinions offering interpretations about aspects of the initiative process about which there is some ambiguity—and these opinions have the force of the law.

How old do you have to be to be a governor?

(1) No person shall be eligible to the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, or auditor unless he is 25 years of age or older at the time of his election.

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 responsible for enforcing the law?

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. The attorney general is the chief legal representative for the state and serves as general counsel for most ...

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 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 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 are the qualifications for an attorney general?

The most common qualifications address minimum age, citizenship, residency, electoral status, and bar admission. Others prohibit the attorney general from holding multiple offices.

How many states have an attorney general?

According to the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), state constitutions establish the Office of the Attorney General in 44 states and the selection method and term length in 42 states.

What is the role of the Attorney General?

Attorneys throughout the country, the Attorney General may provide guidance interpreting the law to assist in prosecuting or defending the United States in legal proceedings. The Attorney General also oversees the federal prison system and all of the systems that pertain to it.

How many times has Barr been Attorney General?

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 absolute executive authority, contrary to our system of checks and balances.

When was the Office of the Attorney General created?

The Office of the Attorney General was created in 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.

Who is in charge of the Justice Department?

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 treated by law enforcement professionals across the country.

What is 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: Antitrust.

Who is Marissa Jordan?

Marissa Jordan is an accountant and freelance writer interested in current events, economics, and science. Formerly, she wrote for technical blogs on specialized software. When not writing or accounting, she likes spending time with family, reading, and trivia.

image

Authority

Elections

  • Article VI of the Montana State Constitutionstipulates that the attorney general is a publicly elected official who serves a term of four years. Terms begin the first Monday of January following election.
See more on ballotpedia.org

Vacancies

  • Details of vacancies are addressed under Article VI, Section 6. If the attorney general's office is vacant due to death, resignation, or disability, the governor shall appoint a new attorney general.
See more on ballotpedia.org

Duties

  • The Montana Constitution addresses the duties of the attorney general in Article VI, Section 4. Under Article VI, Section 4(4):
See more on ballotpedia.org

Divisions

  • As of January 11, 2021, the Office of the Attorney General of Montana contains the following divisions: 1. Legal 2. Central Services 3. Criminal Investigation 4. Forensic Science 5. Gambling Control 6. Consumer Protection and Victim Services 7. Information Technology Services 8. Motor Vehicle 9. Natural Resource Damage Program
See more on ballotpedia.org

Compensation

  • Under Article VI, Section 5 of the Montana Constitution, the attorney general's salary is fixed by law and the officeholder may not receive any other compensation while in office. In 1995, the Montana Legislaturepassed MCA 2-16-403 and MCA 2-16-405, which require the state department of administration to conduct a salary survey every other year of elected officials for North Dakot…
See more on ballotpedia.org

Contact Information

  • Attorney General's Office Department of Justice P.O. Box 201401 Helena, MT 59620-1401 Phone: 406-444-2026 Fax: 406-444-3549 E-mail: [email protected]
See more on ballotpedia.org

External Links