what does the florida state attorney general do

What is an attorneys general and what do they do?

The Role and Function of the Attorney General The Attorney General is the statewide elected official directed by the Florida Constitution to serve as the chief legal officer for the State of Florida. The Attorney General is responsible for protecting Florida consumers from various types of fraud and enforcing the state’s antitrust laws.

Who is the current Attorney General of Florida?

The Office of the Attorney General, Department of Legal Affairs, provides a wide variety of legal services, including defending the state in civil litigation cases, representing the people of Florida in criminal appeals in state and federal courts, operating consumers protection programs and victim service programs, prosecuting some criminal offenses, and investigating Medicaid fraud.

How can the Florida Attorney General be removed from office?

The 15-member Council, chaired by Attorney General Moody, builds on existing state and local partnerships working to combat human trafficking; Scams At A Glance Savvy consumers can stop fraud in its tracks. By knowing consumer tips to avoid falling victim to emerging scams, you can help us build a Stronger, Safer Florida. Consumer Alert

How do I become an attorney general in Florida?

The Florida Constitution provides the Florida Legislature with sole authority to pass, and amend, the statutes. The Constitution provides the Attorney General with authority to investigate and prosecute violations of duly enacted statutes. You should contact your state representative and state senator with your concerns and suggestions.

What is the role of the Florida Attorney General?

The Office of the Attorney General, Department of Legal Affairs, provides a wide variety of legal services, including defending the state in civil litigation cases, representing the people of Florida in criminal appeals in state and federal courts, operating consumers protection programs and victim service programs, ...

What are the duties of the Attorney General?

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to:Represent the United States in legal matters.Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.More items...•Oct 8, 2021

What does Florida State Attorney mean?

OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY Pursuant to Article V, Section 17, of the Constitution of the State of Florida, the State Attorney is charged with being the chief prosecuting officer of all criminal trial courts in his/her respective circuit and shall perform all other duties as prescribed by general law.

Who does the State Attorney report to in Florida?

The Statewide Prosecutor is appointed by the Attorney General from a list of nominees selected by the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. The Statewide Prosecutor serves a term of four years and acts as the agency head for eight offices throughout the state.

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

Can Attorney General attend cabinet meetings?

Detailed Solution. The correct answer is Attorney General of India. Attorney General of India can attend the meetings of both houses of Parliament while not being a member of either. The Attorney General for India is the Indian government's chief legal advisor.

Who is Florida's state attorney?

Ashley Moody (Republican Party)Florida / Attorney generalAshley Brooke Moody is an American attorney and politician serving as the Florida attorney general since January 2019. Wikipedia

How can charges be dropped before court date?

There are ways to have charges against an accused or defendant dropped even before the trial date. The typical action is to file a motion to dismiss. The defendant's lawyer can invoke various reasons for a motion to dismiss.Feb 2, 2022

How do you become a state attorney?

To become a district attorney, legal education, a membership in any state bar council and state licensure as an attorney is required. 10+2 or its equivalent and any degree from a recognized university are the minimum qualifications required for joining 5 year LLB course and 3 year LLB course respectively.

How long is Florida Attorney General term?

Florida Attorney GeneralAttorney General of FloridaSeal of the Attorney General of FloridaIncumbent Ashley Moody since January 8, 2019Department of Legal AffairsTerm lengthFour years, renewable once3 more rows

How long does the State Attorney have to file charges in Florida?

Regardless of the severity of the charge, the state only has 175 days after an arrest to file charges, and that is found in Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.191.

What do you mean by State Attorney?

Definition of state's attorney : a legal officer (such as a district attorney) appointed or elected to represent a state in court proceedings within a district.

Election and terms of office

As with other elected statewide offices in Florida, the attorney general is limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.

Living former Florida attorneys general

As of August 2021, there are six living former Florida attorneys general, the oldest being James C. Smith (served 1979–1987, born 1940). The most recent attorney general to die was Robert L. Shevin on July 11, 2005 (served 1971–1979, born 1934).

Who is the Attorney General of Florida?

Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline for all consumers statewide. The opening of the hotline comes as Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19.

Who released Hurricane Preparedness Guide 2021?

Attorney General Ashley Moody released the 2021 Hurricane Preparedness Guide. She urges Floridians to review the preparedness guide now and understand that planning will be different this year as Floridians continue to take measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

What is the Dose of Reality website?

Attorney General Ashley Moody launched a new website seeking to educate Floridians about the dangers of misusing prescription painkillers and other opioids such as heroin and fentanyl.

What is the Florida Department of Financial Services?

The Florida Department of Financial Services’ is the state agency charged with regulating the state’s insurance industry. Within that Department is the Division of Consumer Services that provides public outreach and serves as a mediator in disputes between insurance companies and consumers.

What is the Florida Constitution?

The Florida Constitution provides the Florida Legislature with sole authority to pass, and amend, the statutes. The Constitution provides the Attorney General with authority to investigate and prosecute violations of duly enacted statutes.

What is the phone number for the FBI?

The telephone number is 1-800-435-7352 (1-800-HELP-FLA). En Espanol (1-800-FL-AYUDA). If you believe that you are the victim of a scam or fraud, please call the Attorney General’s toll free hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (or 1-866-966-7226). 3.

What is victim compensation?

The Bureau of Victim Compensation provides financial assistance to innocent victims for payment of expenses incurred as a result of a criminal victimization. When eligibility criteria is met, victim/applicants may receive compensation for medical bills, wage loss, funeral/burial expenses, disability and loss of support.

What is the number to call for fraud?

If you are a victim of this crime, you are urged to call the Attorney General’s Fraud Hotline toll free at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM, or 1-866-966-7226. Competent personnel will put you in touch with law enforcement and work with victims. In addition, there are ways to prevent such fraud.

Is Florida open government?

Florida has one of the most progressive open government laws in the country. Known as the Government in the Sunshine Law, the statute provides that, except in rare circumstances, the public has access to meetings between elected officials and the records of government entities. The Attorney General’s Office is a leading source for interpretation ...

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 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 ...

How are state attorneys elected?

In general, State's Attorneys are elected by the people they represent. Their duties are spelled out in the laws of the local governments they represent, and they're held accountable by the voters for how well they do their jobs and how well their performance matches up with the local politics of the area. But a State's Attorney hardly ever does ...

What is an assistant state attorney?

Assistant State's Attorneys, also known as Deputy State's Attorneys,are the ones who actually appear in court, file the legal briefs and interview witnesses. The State's Attorney, on the other hand, is in charge of policy, staffing and running the office, and making decisions about certain high-profile cases. Advertisement.

What is a prosecutor?

A State's Attorney is the most common term for a prosecutor, someone who represents the people in criminal and civil legal matters. But while the most iconic image of a State's Attorney is ...

What is the job of a criminal prosecutor?

Criminal prosecutions are the chief duty of most State's Attorney offices. In many states, such as Michigan, criminal prosecutions follow a predetermined series of steps [source: Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan ]. First, police file a warrant or charging request with the State's Attorney following an investigation.

How do police arrest a suspect?

First, police file a warrant or charging request with the State's Attorney following an investigation. Attorneys review the request and may decide to issue a warrant, which allows the police to arrest the suspect. An arraignment in court follows, at which the suspect is formally charged with a crime and enters a plea.

What is an arraignment in court?

An arraignment in court follows, at which the suspect is formally charged with a crime and enters a plea. Depending on the type and severity of a crime, there can be several pretrial hearings. At some point during these hearings, a plea bargain may be offered to induce the suspect to enter a guilty plea. Advertisement.

How many judicial districts does the US have?

One U.S. Attorney is assigned to each of 93 federal judicial districts around the country and is the top law enforcement official for the federal government in those districts. From there, the attorney will prosecute criminal cases, represent the federal government and collect debts owed to the federal government.

Overview

Election and terms of office

Living former Florida attorneys general

See also

External links