what does the state's attorney office do

by Jeff Conn DDS 6 min read

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.

They advise and represent their legislature and state agencies and act as the “People's Lawyer” for the citizens.

Full Answer

What is a duty of a state advocate?

What Does the State Attorney Do? Prosecute. District Attorney, State Attorney, Statewide Prosecutor’s Office, U.S. Attorney, they all prosecute. They do not arrest, the police do that. The prosecutor makes the decision on what charge to file by presenting their accusation to a grand jury, or by the filing of a document called the Prosecutor’s Information.

What is the job of the States Attorney?

Jan 24, 2015 · 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 …

How are state attorneys appointed?

State Attorneys 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. Select your state to connect to your state attorney general's website.

What do state attorneys do?

The role of a state attorney general is to counsel state government agencies and legislatures, and represent the public interest in their state.

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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 ...

When was the Office of the Attorney General created?

History and statutory authority. The Office of the United States Attorney was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789 , along with the office of Attorney General and the United States Marshals Service. The same act also specified the structure of the Supreme Court of the United States and established inferior courts making up ...

What is the role of administrative management?

Administrative management direction and oversight, Operational support, Coordination with other components of the United States Department of Justice and other federal agencies. These responsibilities include certain legal, budgetary, administrative, and personnel services, as well as legal education.

What is an AUSA?

An Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), or federal prosecutor, is a public official who represents the federal government on behalf of the U.S. Attorney (USA) in criminal prosecutions, and in certain civil cases as either the plaintiff or the defendant.

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 a district attorney?

A district attorney typically works for a county or state government and acts as the prosecutor in criminal cases. Each state maintains a justice department responsible for criminal prosecutions. Cities, towns and counties also maintain justice departments responsible for prosecuting crimes against local and state ordinances.

Requirements for a district attorney

Here are the requirements that aspiring district attorneys need to fulfill before finding work in the field:

Top skills for district attorney

Here are the top skills that a district attorney typically needs to succeed:

Work environment for district attorneys

While much of a district attorney's job can take place in a legal office, they can also work in other locations like libraries and courtrooms.

Salary and job outlook for district attorneys

The national average salary for attorneys in the United States, including district attorneys, is currently $94,578 per year, which is a very competitive salary. However, the compensation that a district attorney receives can vary depending on their education level, experience and skills obtained throughout their career.

What is the job of a state attorney?

The State Attorney is given the task of seeking to convict or punish the guilty while protecting the innocent from false allegations. While acting as the Chief Criminal Prosecutor, the State Attorney also represents the State in various civil matters and litigation.

What is the state attorney in Florida?

In Florida, the top prosecutor in each judicial circuit is called the State Attorney. The other attorneys working at the State Attorney’s Office are called “Assistant State Attorneys.”. Other states use the term “District Attorney.”. In the federal system, the equivalent terms are “United States Attorney” and “Assistant United States Attorney.”.

Who is the attorney general of Florida?

In addition to the 20 state attorneys, Florida also has an elected cabinet post position for the attorney general who serves as the chief legal officer of the state and is head of the Florida Department of Legal Affairs. Ashley Moody, a Republican, is the current attorney general who took office on January 8, 2019.

How many circuits are there in Florida?

Florida is divided into twenty (20) judicial circuits, each of which is composed of Circuit and County Courts. For this reason, Florida has twenty (20) different State Attorneys representing the twenty (20) different judicial circuits. In each judicial circuit, the State Attorney acts in a semi-judicial role in leading a staff ...

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Overview

United States attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district courts and United States courts of appeals.
The prosecution is the legal party responsible for presenting the case against an individual suspected of breaking the law, initiating and directing further criminal investigations, guiding and recommending the sentencing of offenders, and ar…

History and statutory authority

The Office of the United States Attorney was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789, along with the office of Attorney General and United States Marshal. The same act also specified the structure of the Supreme Court of the United States and established inferior courts making up the United States Federal Judiciary, including a district court system. Thus, the office of U.S. Attorney is older than the Department of Justice. The Judiciary Act of 1789 provided for the appointment in each judici…

Appointment

The U.S. attorney is appointed by the President of the United States for a term of four years, with appointments subject to confirmation by the Senate. A U.S. attorney continues in office, beyond the appointed term, until a successor is appointed and qualified. By law, each United States attorney is subject to removal by the President. The Attorney General has had the authority since 1986 to appoint interim U.S. attorneys to fill a vacancy.

Role of U.S. attorneys

The U.S. attorney is both the primary representative and the administrative head of the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the district. The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) is the chief prosecutor for the United States in criminal law cases, and represents the United States in civil law cases as either the defendant or plaintiff, as appropriate. However, they are not the only ones that may represent the United States in Court. In certain circumstances, using an action called a qui tam, any U.S. citizen…

Executive Office for United States Attorneys

The Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) provides the administrative support for the 93 United States attorneys (encompassing 94 United States Attorney offices, as the Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands has a single U.S. attorney for both districts), including:
• General executive assistance and direction,
• Policy development,

List of current U.S. attorneys' offices

1. U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
2. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama
3. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
4. U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska

Defunct U.S. attorneys' offices

• U. S. Attorney for the District of Michigan (February 24, 1863)
• U. S. Attorney for the Eastern District of South Carolina (October 2, 1965)
• U. S. Attorney for the Western District of South Carolina (October 2, 1965)

See also

• List of United States attorneys appointed by Joe Biden
• List of United States attorneys appointed by Donald Trump
• Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy (2007)
• 2017 dismissal of U.S. attorneys