what does the alabama attorney general do?

by Brandyn Windler 6 min read

As is common in many states, the attorney general is the chief lawyer of the state. He is called upon as the chief defender of the laws of Alabama, the lawyer for state officials and represents the state in all matters brought before a court of law or tribunal.

The Attorney General of Alabama is an elected constitutional officer in the Alabama state government. The attorney general serves as the state's chief law officer and chief law enforcement officer. He may also initiate both civil and criminal court action to protect the state's interests or to enforce state law.

Full Answer

Who is the current Attorney General of Alabama?

49 rows · As is common in many states, the attorney general is the chief lawyer of the state. He is called upon as the chief defender of the laws of Alabama, the lawyer for state officials and represents the state in all matters brought before a court of law or tribunal.

What did Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announce?

As the state's attorney, he provides legal representation for the state of Alabama, its officers, departments, and agencies. The Attorney General defends the state in all lawsuits in which the state is named as a defendant. He represents the state in all court proceedings wherein the constitutionality of a state statute is challenged.

What did the Alabama Attorney General say about the storm victims?

 · The primary duty of the Attorney General is to serve as legal counsel to Alabama's state agencies, departments, and officers. Our office is prohibited by law from providing private citizens with legal advice, representation, or opinions …

What are the duties of a state attorney?

Website. Steve Marshall became the 48th Attorney General of Alabama on February 10, 2017. He is a native of Atmore and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1987 …

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What is the main purpose of the attorney general?

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.

What is the most important duty of state Attorney General?

Enforcing federal and state environmental laws. Representing the state and state agencies before the state and federal courts. Handling criminal appeals and serious statewide criminal prosecutions. Instituting civil suits on behalf of the state.

Does Alabama have an Attorney General?

The attorney general of Alabama is an elected, constitutional officer of the State of Alabama. The office of the attorney general is located at the state capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. Henry Hitchcock was elected Alabama's first attorney general in 1819.

How much does the Alabama Attorney General make?

$168,002State executive salariesOffice and current officialSalaryAttorney General of Alabama Steve Marshall$168,002Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill$85,248Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 Chris BeekerAlabama Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources Christopher Blankenship$141,00011 more rows

Who has more power governor or Attorney General?

The vast majority of state attorneys general are elected separately from the governor, which means they're free to make their own decisions about which cases to prosecute. Governors can try to influence them informally—and in most cases, their interests line up—but they have no formal power over the AGs.

Is Attorney General a political position?

The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States. Washington, D.C. Under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution, the officeholder is nominated by the president of the United States, then appointed with the advice and consent of the United States Senate.

How many attorney generals does Alabama have?

Alabama Former Attorneys GeneralLuther Strange2010 – 2017Bernard Sykes1954 – 1955S.I. Garrett1951 – 1954A.A. Carmichael1947 – 1951William N. McQueen1943 – 194742 more rows

How many attorney are in Alabama?

Total number of licensed attorneys in the U.S.StateCountAlabama14897Alaska2340Arizona15688Arkansas680847 more rows

How do I get in touch with the attorney general of Alabama?

For specific questions regarding registrations, call 1-800-392-5658.

What is the Governor of Alabama salary?

List of governors of AlabamaGovernor of AlabamaInaugural holderWilliam Wyatt BibbFormationDecember 14, 1819DeputyLieutenant Governor of AlabamaSalary$127,833 (2022)9 more rows

What is the salary of the vice president United States?

Vice President of the United StatesVice President of the United States of AmericaSuccessionFirstUnofficial namesVPOTUS, VP, VeepSalary$235,100 annuallyWebsitewww.whitehouse.gov14 more rows

What is the salary of Alabama secretary of state?

BreadcrumbClassificationAnnual SalaryEXECUTIVE DIVISIONSecretary of State$89,561.28Deputy Secretary of State & Chief of Staff$144,633.60Executive Assistant$99,650.4027 more rows

What does the Attorney General do in Alabama?

The Attorney General represents the state in all criminal actions in the appellate courts of the State of Alabama and in habeas corpus proceedings in the federal courts.

What is the Constitutional basis for the Attorney General?

Article V, Section 112, established the position of the Attorney General. Article V, Section 116, states the Attorney General shall be elected every four years. Amendment 282 permits him/her to succeed himself/herself for one additional term in office.

What amendment allows the Attorney General to succeed himself?

Amendment 282 permits him/her to succeed himself/herself for one additional term in office. Article V, Section 137, says the Attorney General's duties shall be prescribed by law. Article V, Section 132, states that the Attorney General shall have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years, an Alabama resident for ...

How many employees does the Attorney General have?

Today, the Attorney General's staff includes more than 170 employees with diversified skills and training in law, public administration, investigation, consumer affairs, utility regulation, paralegal studies, and other disciplines.

How much did the Attorney General of Mississippi make in 1818?

In 1818, the territory was divided into three sections, Attorneys General were appointed for each section, and each received a salary of $450 per year.

When did Alabama allow clerical assistance?

Alabama's Attorney General was allowed no clerical assistance until 1896 when the Attorney General was authorized to hire a clerk. Eleven years later, the first Assistant Attorney General was provided for with a salary of $1,500 per year. In 1911, another Assistant Attorney General was employed. In 1915, the Attorney General was given discretionary ...

When was the Attorney General made an executive officer?

The Office was classified under the judicial branch until 1868 when the Attorney General was made an executive officer of the state. Also, in that year, the term of office was reduced from four years to two years. However, in 1901 the term was changed back to four years, and the term still remains at four years.

Who is the Attorney General of Alabama?

Attorney General Steve Marshall Warns Alabama Storm Victims to be on Guard Against Home Repair Fraud and Price Gouging

Who is the leader of the Hyde Amendment?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. on Monday, Attorney General Marshall called on Congress to resist the president’s. efforts to force taxpayers who object to abortions to pay for them. “The Hyde Amendment was first enacted in 1976 following the United States Supreme.

How many states did Steve Marshall lead in the Supreme Court?

Attorney General Steve Marshall Leads 17 States in Supreme Court Brief Supporting Religious Charity Right to Hire People Who Share Its Faith

What is the job of the Attorney General of Alabama?

The attorney general serves as the state's chief law officer and chief law enforcement officer. He may also initiate both civil and criminal court action to protect the state's interests or to enforce state law.

When does Alabama elect its attorney general?

Per Section 114 of the state constitution, Alabama elects its attorneys general during federal midterm election years (e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030). Section 116 sets the attorney general's inauguration for the first Monday after the second Tuesday in the January following an election.

How long is the Alabama governor's term?

Alabama Constitution, Amendment 282: The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, and commissioner of agriculture and industries, shall hold their respective offices for the term of four years from the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January next ...

How long do you have to be a citizen to be an attorney general in Alabama?

Candidates for the office must have been a citizen of the United States for seven years, a resident of Alabama for five years, and at least 25 years of age.

How much does the Attorney General make in 2020?

In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $169,001, according to the Council of State Governments.

How old do you have to be to be an attorney general?

No person shall be eligible to the office of attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, or commissioner of agriculture and industries unless he shall have been a citizen of the United States at least seven years, and shall have resided in this state at least five years next preceding his election, and shall be at least twenty-five years old when elected.

What is the Attorney General's Office's annual report?

The attorney general's office issues an annual report including "suggestions for the suppression of crime and the improvement of criminal administration." He is also required to report on laws held invalid by state courts and give his opinion on the constitutional validity and clarity of bills being considered by the legislature.

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.

Who is the governor of Alabama?

The governor of Alabama was Republican Kay Ivey. The state held elections for governor and lieutenant governor on November 6, 2018.

How often are gubernatorial elections held in Alabama?

This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Alabama.

How many Democrat and Republican senators are there in Alabama?

Following the 2017 special election, one Republican and one Democrat each held a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama.

When is the Alabama primary election?

Alabama held an election for attorney general on November 6, 2018. The primary election was on June 5, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was February 9, 2018. This page covered the general election in this race. Click here to read more about the Democratic Party primary election.

Is Alabama a Republican state?

Heading into the election, Alabama was a Republican trifecta. It had been under this status since 2011, when Republicans gained majorities in the state Senate and state House. Alabama was also a Republican triplex. The Republican presidential candidate won Alabama in each of the past five election cycles.

Who won Alabama in the 2000 presidential election?

The Republican presidential candidate won Alabama in each of the past five election cycles. The most narrow margin of victory was George W. Bush 's 15 percent margin in 2000 while the widest was Donald Trump 's 28 percent margin in 2016.

Who won the Alabama primary?

Incumbent Steve Marshall and Troy King advanced to a runoff. They defeated Alice Martin and Chess Bedsole in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Alabama on June 5, 2018.

What is the government of Alabama?

The government of Alabama is organized under the provisions of the 1901 Constitution of Alabama, the lengthiest constitution of any political entity in the world. Like other states within the United States, Alabama's government is divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches.

What does the Supreme Court do in Alabama?

The Supreme Court has authority to review decisions rendered by the other courts of the state. It also has authority to determine certain legal matters over which no other court has jurisdiction, and to issue such orders as may prove necessary to carry out its general superintendence over the court system in Alabama.

What is the military of Alabama?

The governor also is commander-in-chief of the state's military forces, which consist of the Alabama Army National Guard and Alabama Air National Guard, which are part of the National Guard of the United States.

How many members are in the Alabama House of Representatives?

General information. The Alabama House of Representatives is composed of 105 members, all elected from single-member districts of equal population across the state in the same cycle. Each member represents a district of approximately 40,000 people, and is elected to a four-year term.

How long is the term of the governor of Alabama?

The Governor is the chief executive of the state's government. He or she (currently Governor Kay Ivey) is responsible for upholding the Alabama Constitution and executing state law. The Governor is elected by popular election every four years. The constitution limits the governor to two consecutive terms, but there is no limit on the total number of terms one may serve, so long as no more than two are ever consecutive. George Wallace holds the record as the longest-serving governor in Alabama history with 16 years of service.

How many senators are there in Alabama?

The Alabama Senate is composed of 35 Senators. Each Senator represents a single-member district of approximately 125,000 Alabamians.

What is the executive branch of Alabama?

Executive branch. The Alabama Executive branch consists of the Governor of Alabama, the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, the Governor's Cabinet, several popularly elected executive officials, and the executive staff. The Cabinet consists of the heads of 25 different departments ranging from the Chief of Staff to the head of the Alabama Department ...

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Current Officeholder

Authority

Qualifications

  • Qualifications for the office of attorney general are described in Article V, Section 132 of the state constitution. Candidates for the office must have been a citizen of the United States for seven years, a resident of Alabama for five years, and at least 25 years of age. Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 132
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Elections

  • Per Section 114 of the state constitution, Alabama elects its attorneys general during federal midterm election years (e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030). Section 116sets the attorney general's inauguration for the first Monday after the second Tuesday in the January following an election. Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 114 Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 116
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Vacancies

  • Article V, Section 136 of the Alabama Constitutionrequires the governor to appoint a replacement if the office of attorney general becomes vacant or if the incumbent "shall become of unsound mind." The replacement serves until the next scheduled election. Constitution of Alabama, Article V, Section 136'
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Duties

  • Section 137 of the Alabama Constitution provides that the "attorney general may be required to defend suits against state, political subdivisions, officers, etc." The attorney general's other duties are prescribed by law. Besides representing the state in court, the incumbent is required to give legal advice to state and county officers or agencies...
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Divisions

  • As of January 6, 2021, the attorney general's office includes the following divisions: 1. Administrative Services 2. Capital Litigation 3. Constitutional Defense 4. Consumer Interest 5. Criminal Appeals 6. Criminal Trials 7. Executive 8. General Civil Litigation 9. Information Technology 10. Investigations 11. Medicaid Fraud 12. Opinions Section 13. Solicitor General 14. …
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Recent News

  • The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Alabama Attorney General.These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
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Contact Info

  • Capitol Address: Office of the Attorney General 500 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130 Phone:(334) 242-7300
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