what does the wv attorney general do

by Dr. Elijah Hoeger Jr. 5 min read

What are the powers and responsibilities of Attorneys General?

Learn more about the powers and responsibilities of attorneys general. 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 are the duties of a state attorney?

1 Issuing formal opinions to state agencies 2 Acting as public advocates in areas such as child support enforcement, consumer protections, antitrust and utility regulation 3 Proposing legislation 4 Enforcing federal and state environmental laws 5 Representing the state and state agencies before the state and federal courts More items...

How do I contact the Office of the Attorney General?

The Office of the Attorney General is pleased to serve you. Should you need assistance from the Attorney General, please do not hesitate to contact us. Fax: 304-558-0140

Where can I find information on West Virginia's consumer protection laws?

The Office of the Attorney General is pleased to provide summary tips and resources for consumers and businesses alike on many of West Virginia's consumer protection laws.

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What are the duties of the attorney general of WV?

More specifically, the Office of the Attorney General is responsible for prosecuting and defending legal actions on behalf of the State, and for ensuring that the rights of the State and its citizens are protected in matters before the circuit courts of this State, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, and all ...

What is the job of the attorney general of a state?

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.

Who is the attorney general in West Virginia?

Patrick Morrisey (Republican Party)West Virginia / Attorney generalPatrick James Morrisey is an American politician and attorney serving as the 34th Attorney General of West Virginia since 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party. Morrisey was elected Attorney General of West Virginia in 2012, becoming the first Republican to serve in the role since 1933. Wikipedia

What are the powers of Attorney General?

(1) He gives advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, which are referred or assigned to him by the president. (2) He performs such other duties of a legal character that are referred or assigned to him by the president.

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.

What are the four responsibilities of lawyers?

It describes the sources and broad definitions of lawyers' four responsibilities: duties to clients and stakeholders; duties to the legal system; duties to one's own institution; and duties to the broader society.

Who is above the district attorney?

In practice, district attorneys, who prosecute the bulk of criminal cases in the United States, answer to no one. The state attorney general is the highest law enforcement officer in state government and often has the power to review complaints about unethical and illegal conduct on the part of district attorneys.

What is the primary job of the attorney general quizlet?

What is the role of the Attorney General? Head of the Department of Justice, top law enforcement officer and lawyer for the United States, defends the US and the Constitution in court cases.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What does the WV state auditor do?

The auditor is the state's official bookkeeper and chief inspector, and is responsible for conducting audits of county governments, county boards of election, municipalities, boards, commissions, districts, offices, public authorities, public corporations, and county boards of education.

How do I contact the WV Attorney General?

You can e-mail us at [email protected], or call us at 304-558-2021. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Attorney General.

What is the role of the Attorney General of West Virginia?

The overarching mission of the Office of the Attorney General, as set forth in the West Virginia Constitution and the West Virginia Code, is to serve as the chief legal officer for the State of West Virginia. The Attorney General Speaks for the legal interests of the State.

What does the Attorney General do?

The Attorney General Speaks for the legal interests of the State. Pursuant to the Attorney General's broad mission, the Office is responsible for providing skilled legal counsel and representation to the State, its officers, agencies, and boards on a wide range of legal matters. More specifically, the Office of the Attorney General is responsible ...

What is the number to call for the Attorney General's Office?

Mission of the Office of the Attorney General. Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-368-8808. Senior Protection Hotline: 304-558-1155. Medicaid Fraud Hotline:

Who can appoint an outside attorney?

Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General may appoint outside attorneys to serve as special assistant attorneys general on certain legal matters.

What is the role of the Attorney General of West Virginia?

The attorney general is the chief legal officer for the state of West Virginia, providing legal representation for all state agencies, officials, commissions, and boards.

What does the Attorney General do?

The Attorney General Speaks for the legal interests of the State. Pursuant to the Attorney General's broad mission, the Office is responsible for providing skilled legal counsel and representation to the State, its officers, agencies, and boards on a wide range of legal matters.

What is the purpose of the governor when the attorney general becomes vacant?

If the office of attorney general becomes vacant, it is the duty of the governor to fill the position by appointment. The appointee serves until a new attorney general is elected.

How old do you have to be to be elected to a state office in West Virginia?

Article IV, Section 4 of the West Virginia Constitution establishes the qualifications of office as such: at least 25 years old. a citizen entitled to vote. a resident of West Virginia for at least the preceding 5 years. No person, except citizens entitled to vote, shall be elected or appointed to any state, county or municipal office;

What is the job of the Attorney General of West Virginia?

The West Virginia Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the state. Often referred to as the “People’s Lawyer”, the attorney general of West Virginia advocates on behalf of the state’s citizens. Furthermore, the West Virginia Attorney General will work with members of the general assembly to push for the creation of new laws.

How often is the Attorney General elected in West Virginia?

In present-day, the Attorney General of West Virginia is elected by the people every four years.

How many terms has Darrel McGraw been in office?

Darrel McGraw has been the state’s Attorney General since 1992; he was re-elected in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. His five terms are a record in the state of West Virginia. Darrel McGraw received his undergraduate’s degree from West Virginia University, where he served as student body President.

How often is the West Virginia Attorney General election?

There is no limit on number of terms a West Virginia Attorney General may serve; the election is held every four years parallel to the United States Presidential Election.

What is the Department of Public Services?

The department oversees numerous public services, including a civil rights division, an appellate division, a division of tax & revenue, court of claims & transportation, health and human resources division, an employee programs worker’s compensation defense division and an arts & boards division.

What is the attorney general of West Virginia?

The Attorney General of West Virginia is the chief legal advisor to the West Virginia state government and is the state's chief law enforcement officer. The office was created by Article VII, Section 1 of the first Constitution of West Virginia in 1863. Under the current state constitution (1872), the attorney general is an executive department ...

What does the Attorney General do?

The attorney general represents the state in all claims processed by the United States Court of Claims, prosecutes civil actions as prescribed by law, enforces the state consumer, antitrust, and preneed burial statutes, and enforces the West Virginia Human Rights Act and the West Virginia Fair Housing Act. The attorney general is also an ex officio ...

How long is the term of the Attorney General?

Their election can be held at any time as prescribed by law. The attorney general's term of office is four years and commences on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of the month of January following their election.

When did Caldwell become Attorney General?

^ Aquilla B. Caldwell was elected attorney general on May 28, 1863, but did not take office until statehood on June 20, 1863.

Where does the Attorney General reside?

The constitution further specifies that the attorney general shall reside in the seat of state government, Charleston, during their term of office. In Charleston, they are to maintain public records, books, and papers pertaining to their office, and perform all duties prescribed by state law. As of 2012, the attorney general receives a salary ...

Who was the first Republican attorney general?

Caldwell was the first Republican to hold the office, and Joseph Sprigg of Hampshire County was the first Democrat. Darrell McGraw, who held the position from 1993–2013, is the longest-serving attorney general and served the most consecutive terms, being elected to the office five times.

When was the second constitution of West Virginia enacted?

In 1872 , when the second (and current) Constitution of West Virginia was enacted, the constitution averred that citizens residing in the state at the time of its enactment were also authorized to be elected or appointed as attorney general, regardless of the length of the residency in West Virginia.

What is the Office of the Attorney General of West Virginia?

The Office of the Attorney General is pleased to provide summary tips and resources for consumers and businesses alike on many of West Virginia's consumer protection laws . This page is designed to be a one-stop resource for information about how consumers can protect themselves, where to go for help from the Office's Consumer Protection Division, and how to avoid the latest scams.

Where to return a consumer protection form in West Virginia?

Consumers who believe that they have been the victim of unlawful practices in the purchases of goods and services are first encouraged to fill out the appropriate form and return it to the West Virginia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

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.

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Authority

Qualifications

  • Article IV, Section 4 of the West Virginia Constitutionestablishes the qualifications of office as such: 1. at least 25 years old 2. a citizen entitled to vote 3. a resident of West Virginia for at least the preceding 5 years
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Elections

  • West Virginia elects attorneys general in presidential election years. The term begins on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of January next after the election.
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Vacancies

  • Details of vacancy appointments are addressed under Article VII, Section 17of the state constitution. If the office of attorney general becomes vacant, it is the duty of the governor to fill the position by appointment. The appointee serves until a new attorney general is elected.
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Divisions

  • As of January 11, 2021, divisions within the Attorney General's Office included: 1. Appellate 2. Civil Rights 3. Consumer Protection & Anti-Trust 4. Education, Arts & Boards 5. Health & Human Resources 6. Tax & Revenue, Claims Commission, and Transportation
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Historical Officeholders

  • Since 1863, West Virginia has had 33 attorneys general. Aquilla B. Caldwell served twice (First and fifth officeholder). Click "show"for former officeholders.
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Recent News

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

  • West Virginia State Capitol Building 1 Room E-26 Charleston, WV 25305 Phone: 304-558-2021 Fax:304-558-0140
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