what does the pa state attorney general do

by Ward Jenkins 4 min read

Who is the Attorney General of Pennsylvania?

Protecting consumers and combating scams is a top priority of the Office of Attorney General. It’s important for Pennsylvanians to know what schemes are out there – so they can avoid getting scammed and help our Office protect other consumers.

What does the Attorney General’s office do?

Apr 05, 2015 · What does the Attorney General of Pennsylvania do? The Attorney General Pennsylvania is an independent office headed by the elected individual. The office is responsible for prosecuting crimes that were originally prosecuted by the state, including all acts of organized crime, public corruption and consumer protection issues.

How many terms can an attorney general serve in Pennsylvania?

Apr 24, 2016 · The Pennsylvania attorney general is the state’s top lawyer. The office can bring down drug rings, investigate public corruption and it defends the state when it is sued. The attorney general is also a political figure, working with the governor and the Legislature to reform state drug laws, its prison system and to combat the state’s heroin epidemic.

Who is in charge of the state of Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Attorney General is bound by the Commonwealth Attorney’s Act and is not permitted to give legal advice, interpretation or representation. The Pennsylvania Attorney General represents the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and all state agencies. and does not provide private legal counsel.

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What is the role of the PA Attorney General?

The Attorney General of Pennsylvania is an elected constitutional office in the executive branch of the Pennsylvania state government. 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.

What does a state attorney do?

The functions of the State Attorney is as follows: The drafting and managing of contracts on behalf of the State. The handling of criminal and civil litigation cases instituted against State officials and committed by means of acts or omissions while executing their official duties.

How much do state attorneys make?

The salaries of States Attorneys in the US range from $12,530 to $334,332 , with a median salary of $60,262 . The middle 57% of States Attorneys makes between $60,262 and $151,583, with the top 86% making $334,332.

Can a lawyer be a prosecutor?

Prosecutor as a legal professional Prosecutors are typically lawyers who possess a law degree, and are recognized as legal professionals by the court in which they intend to represent society (that is, they have been admitted to the bar).

Current Officeholder

  • The current officeholder is Democrat Josh Shapiro. Shapiro won election to the position on November 8, 2016, and assumed office on January 17, 2017.
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Authority

  • The Pennsylvania Constitution addresses the office of the attorney general in Article IV. Under Article IV, Section 4:
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Qualifications

  • Article IV Section 5 of the state constitutionalso outlines the qualifications for holding the office of attorney general. 1. at least 30 years old 2. a resident of Pennsylvania for at least the previous seven years 3. a member of bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Article IV, Section 5:
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Elections

  • Pennsylvania elects the attorney general in presidential election years. The term for the office begins on the third Tuesday of January following the election. In the primary election of 1978, Pennsylvania voters approved a constitutional amendment that changed the attorney general from an appointed position to an elected position. The change was implemented in 1980 when …
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Vacancies

  • Article IV, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution grants the governor the power to appoint officers to fill vacancies. In the event of a vacancy in the office of attorney general, the governor nominates a successor. This nomination must be made to the Pennsylvania State Senatewithin 90 days of the vacancy. The senate must then take action (confirming or rejecting nomination) …
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Divisions

  • As of January 11, 2021, divisions within the Office of the Attorney General included: 1. Criminal Law 2. Public Protection 3. Civil Law 4. Office of Public Engagement
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