what does the attorney general washington state do

by Marcia Leuschke 9 min read

What is an attorneys general and what do they do?

Advises the Governor, members of the Legislature, other state officers, and county prosecutors on legal issues. Gives formal written attorney general’s opinions on constitutional or legal questions at the request of designated public officials.

Why does the Attorney General of Washington travel throughout the state?

How much does an assistant attorney general make in Washington state? Attorney General of Washington State Salary FAQs. The average Attorney General of Washington State salary ranges from approximately $136,579 per year for an Assistant Attorney General to $136,579 per year for an Assistant Attorney General.

Who is the Attorney General of Washington State?

While varying from one jurisdiction to the next due to statutory and constitutional mandates, the role of attorney general typically includes: 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.

Is there a term limit for Attorney General in Washington State?

The current Washington Attorney General will be Bob Ferguson – the 18th of the state’s Democratic politicians. His legal services are rendered to state agencies, the Governor and Legislature by over 500 attorneys and 600 professionals in his office.

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What are the responsibilities of Washington state Attorney General?

The Attorney General is the constitutional legal adviser to state officers. The specific duties of the office include: Representing the State of Washington in the courts in all cases in which the state is interested. Defending the state and its agencies and employees when acting in their official capacities.

What does an Attorney General do?

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 power does the US Attorney General have?

The Attorney General of the United States – appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate – heads the DOJ with its more than 100,000 attorneys, special agents, and other staff. It represents the United States in federal criminal and civil litigation, and provides legal advice to the President and Cabinet.

Can Attorney General do private practice?

Also the AG is not a government servant and is not debarred from private legal practice. The Attorney General can accept briefs but cannot appear against the Government. They cannot defend an accused in the criminal proceedings and accept the directorship of a company without the permission of the Government.

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 the FBI part of the Department of Justice?

Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence.

What are the qualifications for a state office?

Additionally, Article 3, Section 25 of the state constitution establishes the qualifications of state offices in general: 1 a citizen of the United States 2 a qualified elector in Washington

How often are the governors elected in Washington?

In Washington, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, and commissioner of public lands are elected every four years. Elections are held in November and winners assume office the following January, serving until their successors are elected and qualified.

Who is the executive department?

The executive department shall consist of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, and a commissioner of public lands, who shall be severally chosen by the qualified electors of the state at the same time and place of voting as for the members of 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 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 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 territories are there in the US?

Comparison across states. Although Ballotpedia covers the five U.S. territories. The five U.S. territories are American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. and their officeholders, territory officeholders are not included in the following figures.

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.

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)

Who ran for governor in 2012?

Two - Montana AG Steve Bullock (D) and Washington AG Rob McKenna (R) - ran for the governorship in their respective states in 2012. One - Utah AG Mark Shurtleff (R) - retired from office. One - 2011 appointee Pennsylvania AG Linda Kelly (R) - did not run for election due to the terms of her Senate confirmation.

How many elections were held in 2010?

Thirty attorney general elections were held on November 2, 2010. Of the 30 seats that were up for election, 20 were held by a Democrat and 10 by a Republican. Of those 30 races, 16 were won by Republicans and 14 by Democrats- a net gain of six by Republicans over their pre-election total.

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Authority

  • Article 3 of the state constitutionestablishes the state's executive offices. Article III, Section 2:
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Qualifications

  • Under state law, the attorney general must be a qualified practitioner of the state supreme court. Additionally, Article 3, Section 25 of the state constitutionestablishes the qualifications of state offices in general: 1. a citizen of the United States 2. a qualified elector in Washington
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Elections

  • In Washington, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, and commissioner of public landsare elected every four years. Elections are held in November and winners assume office the following January, serving until their successors are elected and qualified.
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Vacancies

  • In the event of a vacancy in this office, the governorshall fill the vacancy by appointment. The term of the appointee expires when a successor has been elected and qualified.
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Duties

  • The specific duties of the attorney general are outlined in Chapter 43 of the Washington state laws:
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Historical Officeholders

  • There have been 18 attorneys general since Washington became a state on November 11, 1889. Prior to statehood, James Metcalf was the attorney general for the territory.
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Recent News

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