what does theny state attorney general do

by Bernadette Feil Sr. 4 min read

What is the role of the New York State Attorney General?

The Attorney General serves all New Yorkers in numerous matters affecting their daily lives. The Attorney General's Office is charged with the statutory and common law powers to protect consumers and investors, charitable donors, the public health and environment, civil rights, and the rights of wage-earners and businesses across the State.

What services does the Attorney General's Office offer?

Letitia “Tish” James is the 67th Attorney General for the State of New York. With decades of work, she is an experienced attorney and public servant with a long record of accomplishments. She is the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected Attorney General.

What does the PA State Attorney General actually do?

Apr 01, 2019 · NY's attorney general is one of the most powerful in the nation. That should worry Trump. The state's chief legal officer, who is investigating the …

What are the powers and responsibilities of Attorneys General?

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.

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What does the Attorney General do?

The Attorney General advises the executive branch of state government and defends actions and proceedings on behalf of the state. The Attorney General acts independently of the Governor of New York. The department's regulations are compiled in title 13 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR).

Who is the Attorney General of the Netherlands?

The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New Netherlands. Democrat Letitia James currently serves as Attorney General, in office since January 1, 2019.

How old do you have to be to be an attorney general?

Qualifications. Under state law, in order to be considered for the office of attorney general, a person must be: at least 30 years old. a resident of New York for at least five years next preceding the election.

Who did Letitia James beat?

Letitia James defeated Keith Wofford, Michael Sussman, Christopher B. Garvey, and Nancy Sliwa in the general election for Attorney General of New York on November 6, 2018. There were no incumbents in this race.

Who won the 2010 election?

To view the electoral history dating back to 2002 for the office of New York Attorney General, Click to expand the section. On November 2, 2010, Eric Schneiderman won election to the office of New York Attorney General. He defeated Dan Donovan (R), Carl Person (L) and Ramon Jimenez (Frdm) in the general election.

What is the Martin Act?

There's also the Martin Act, a 1921 statute designed to protect investors. Past attorneys general have used the Martin Act, considered to be the U.S.'s toughest such state statute in this realm, to expand their powers in the financial crimes sector.

Who is Jed Shugerman?

Jed Shugerman, a Fordham University law professor who advised Democrat Zephyr Teachout in her 2018 attorney general campaign, told NBC News that no matter what legal authority James is using to back her latest inquiry, she must be speedy.

Who opened the Mueller probe?

James opened the probe after Michael Cohen, the president's former attorney, testified to Congress last month that Trump inflated the worth of his assets in financial statements that he provided to banks to secure loans. A source familiar with James' investigation told NBC News the probe appears to be moving quickly.

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 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 ...

What is the Attorney General's Office looking into?

In addition to investigating criminal operations, the attorney general’s office looks into scams targeting seniors, violations of the state’s clean air and water laws and evaluates whether mergers break antitrust laws. On April 26, voters in both parties will have a choice for attorney general. Do the voters prefer a candidate with political ...

Who is the chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners?

Shapiro is the chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and was appointed to be the chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency [PCCD] by Gov. Tom Wolf about a year ago.

Who is Joe Peters?

Republican candidate Joe Peters was a Scranton police officer, an organized crime and drug prosecutor in the attorney general's office for 15 years, a federal mafia prosecutor and oversaw a White House drug trafficking program. He most recently served as Kathleen Kane’s spokesman for about eight months in 2013 and 2014.

What is the Roe v Wade ruling?

This was the 1992 landmark abortion ruling that upheld the basic tenet of Roe v. Wade that a woman has the right to an abortion. It established a new “undue burden” test, which struck down part of the Pennsylvania law which required wives to notify their husbands before getting an abortion.

What is an attorney general investigation?

Those who address these investigations or actions properly have the best chance of obtaining a positive outcome. An attorney general investigation can come in many forms, from a simple letter to a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) or subpoena.

What does experience counsel do?

Experienced counsel can help determine what is at the core of the investigation and who the real targets are – which can help limit the investigation or point it in the proper direction.

Who is David Klein?

David Klein is one of the most recognized attorneys in the telemarketing, technology, Internet marketing, sweepstakes and telecommunications fields. Skilled at counseling clients on a broad range of technology-related matters, David Klein has substantial experience in negotiating and drafting complex licensing, marketing and Internet agreements.

Is a cover up worse than a crime?

The cover-up often is worse than the crime. Third, contact experienced counsel immediately. Attorneys general commence investigations for a wide variety of reasons. Perhaps they are seeking information about, or are investigating, your industry generally.

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Overview

The Attorney General of New York is the chief legal officer of the U.S. state of New York and head of the Department of Law of the state government. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New Netherlands. The Attorney General of the State of New York is the highest-paid State Attorney General in the country.

Functions

The Attorney General advises the executive branch of state government and defends actions and proceedings on behalf of the state. The Attorney General acts independently of the Governor of New York. The department's regulations are compiled in title 13 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR).

Organization

The legal functions of the Department of Law are divided primarily into five major divisions: Appeals and Opinions, State Counsel, Criminal Justice, Economic Justice and Social Justice.
• Harlan Levy (2011–2015)
• Ruth Kessler Toch (1966–1979)
• Shirley Adelson Siegel (1979–1982)

Terms of office

• From 1684 to 1777, when New York was under the British colonial government, the Attorney General was appointed by the British crown, or the colonial governor on its behalf. In 1693, the Attorney General earned a salary of 50 pounds.
• From 1777 to 1822, the Attorney General was appointed by the Council of Appointment.

See also

• New York Attorney General elections

External links

• Official website
• Department of Law in the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
• New York Attorney General articles at ABA Journal
• News and Commentary at FindLaw

Current Officeholder

  • The current officeholder is Attorney General Letitia James(D). She won election to the position on November 6, 2018.
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Authority

  • The New York Constitution addresses the office of attorney general in Article V, Officers and Civil Departments. Under Article V, Section I:
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Qualifications

  • Under state law, in order to be considered for the office of attorney general, a person must be: 1. at least 30 years old 2. a resident of New York for at least five years next preceding the election
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Elections

  • New Yorkelects attorneys general in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For New York, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030 and 2034 are all attorney general election years.
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Vacancies

  • As set out in Article V of the New York Constitution, vacancies in the office will be filled by the legislature.
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Duties

  • The attorney general's official website calls the officer "People's Lawyer" and the state's chief legal officer. Duties included on this resource include:
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Divisions

  • As of January 13, 2021, the attorney general's legal functions are divided into five major divisions: 1. Appeals and Opinions 2. State Counsel 3. Criminal Justice 4. Economic Justice 5. Social Justice
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Historical Officeholders

  • Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Attorney General of New York has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any a…
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Recent News

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

  • State Office Building 44 Hawley Street, 17th Floor Binghamton, NY 13901-4433 Phone: 607-721-8771 Toll Free Phone: 800-788-9898 Fax:607-721-8789
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