what is the difference between attorney general and state attorney

by Rogers Feest 8 min read

Attorney General = head legal officer of the government of a state or country State Attorney = prosecuting attorney that acts as a state's legal representative District Attorney = prosecuting officer of a judicial district, attorney responsible for representing the State in the district courts

A lawyer who represents the state in local criminal cases is usually referred to as the "District Attorney," although, depending on your state, these attorneys can go by other titles such as "Prosecuting Attorney" or "County Attorney." The Attorney General of a state typically represents the state in civil cases, but ...

Full Answer

What does a state Attorney General actually do?

Nov 19, 2020 · The attorney general of the state typically reports to the voters of the state. At the Federal (US Government) level, the attorney general is delegated by the President of the United States and reports to the POTUS. The US attorney general is liable for practically all criminal cases and all respectful prosecution legitimately against the USA.

Should state attorney generals be elected or appointed?

Answer (1 of 13): A State's Attorney is literally an attorney that is hired directly by the state and works for it, generally on civil matters, but sometimes as a special prosecutor on criminal matters of great importance. They are civil servants. A District Attorney is an elected lawyer who ove...

Is there an attorney general for each state?

May 01, 2011 · Sep 11, 2009. #2. Attorney General = head legal officer of the government of a state or country. State Attorney = prosecuting attorney that acts as a state's legal representative. District Attorney = prosecuting officer of a judicial district, attorney responsible for representing the State in the district courts.

Does Attorney General have to be an attorney?

Oct 03, 2017 · Both the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General are political appointees, not career/civil service employees with tenure protections, and therefore they serve at the pleasure of the President. The same is true of United States Attorneys, who act as head federal prosecutors in the respective federal judicial district in each state.

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Who is higher than the states attorney?

The U.S. attorney general, who is the chief law enforcement officer in the United States and the head of the Department of Justice, has supervisory responsibility over U.S. attorneys.

Is the attorney general the states lawyer?

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.

Can the state attorney general prosecute local cases?

Chapter 1, section 1.09, of the Penal Code provides that, “with the consent of the appropriate local county or district attorney, the Attorney General has concurrent jurisdiction with that consenting local prosecutor” to prosecute certain offenses, including: Misuse of state property or funds. Abuse of office.

Does the attorney general work in state or local government?

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 a state's Attorney General?

Image of What is a state's Attorney General?
Merrick Brian Garland is an American lawyer and jurist serving as the 86th United States attorney general since March 2021. He served as a circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1997 to 2021.
Wikipedia

Who is the highest law officer?

Advocate General of the State is the highest law officer in the state. The Constitution of India (Article 165) has provided for the office of the Advocate General for the states. Also, he corresponds to the Attorney General of India.

What does the state attorney do?

A State's Attorney, along with a phalanx of Assistant State's Attorneys, prosecutes criminal and civil cases for the people. Prosecuting attorneys are the voice of the people in America's courtrooms, enforcing the law and representing the duly elected government at all levels.

Who is the best prosecutor in the world?

Alan Morton Dershowitz is an American attorney, political commentator, and jurist. He has spent the past fifty years practicing the law and is well recognized for handling a number of high-profile legal cases.

What does an attorney general do?

The attorney general has a number of public interest functions, which are performed independently of government. They haves the power to refer appeals against unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal and request that the High Court re-examine inquests.Sep 8, 2020

What is an attorney called?

A lawyer (also called attorney, counsel, or counselor) is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters.Sep 10, 2019

How do you become the Attorney General of the United States?

Under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution, the officeholder is nominated by the president of the United States, then appointed with the advice and consent of the United States Senate.

How many attorney generals are there in New York?

New York Former Attorneys General
Barbara Underwood (Acting)2018
Eric Schneiderman2011 – 2018
Andrew M. Cuomo2007 – 2010
Eliot Spitzer1999 – 2006
Dennis Vacco1995 – 1998
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How many states have an attorney general?

The most prevalent method of selecting a state attorney general is by popular election. 43 states have an elected attorney general.

What is the role of an attorney general?

An attorney general is the lawyer responsible for most litigation by or against a state or the US Government. At the state level, most attorney generals are selected by popular vote. The attorney general provides advice to the governor and the state legislature.

What is the job of a US attorney?

The US Attorney reports to the US Attorney General. The US Attorney;s primary duty is criminal and civil litigation. These are the lawyers who do most of the trials for the U.S. Government. The US attorney has several attorneys who work for him/her. These attorneys have a formal title of “Assistant US Attorney”.

How long is the term of the Attorney General of Tennessee?

The attorney general in Tennessee is appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court for an eight-year term. In Maine, the attorney general is elected by the state Legislature for a two-year term.

What is the role of a district attorney?

The District Attorney is usually the county attorney dealing with routine crimes within a specific county. The Attorney General is usually involved in statewide cases o. Continue Reading. That's an easy one, the State's Attorney, District Attorney, and (state) Attorney General are specific to that state and it's laws.

What is the Attorney General's job?

The Attorney General is a policy-making official whose jurisdiction is not restricted to criminal matters.

What is a prosecutor?

Continue Reading. Prosecutor is a generic term that refers to the individual lawyer that is representing the State against a criminal defendant. Prosecutors include district attorneys and assistant district attorneys, city attorneys, attorney generals and assistant attorneys general, etc...

Brandon Alexander Robinson

If we are talking about the U.S. Department of Justice only, the Attorney General (currently Jeff Sessions) is the top law enforcement official in the nation (besides the President himself), and heads the cabinet-level DOJ.

Jay Scott Finnecy

AUSAs are Federal prosecutors in the United States Attorney's Office. Attorney Generals are likely with the California Dept. of Justice.

Who does the Attorney General represent?

The Attorney General is an elected state-wide officer who represents the State of California in general legal matters, and the People (which is not the same thing as the state) as a criminal prosecutor.

What is the role of an attorney general?

An Attorney General is a direct legal advisor to the government. Attorney generals have the authority/responsibility for law enforcement or even responsibility for legal affairs generally. Where as an District Attorney is the chief prosecutor for a local government area, leading a team of deputy district attorneys.

What does a district attorney do?

They represent the cases against individuals and groups. A district attorney is a county prosecutor; an attorney general serves an entire state. The U.S. attorney general serves the entire country. In some states, district attorneys also represent the county in civil matters.

What is the job of a state attorney?

They prosecute crimes at the state level, and represent the state in all legal matters.

What is a D.A. in law?

A D.A. works FOR the government. The specific job is filled in different ways for different locations, some places elect the D.A. (meaning all voters can directly influence) and in some places the D.A. is appointed. An attorney is anyone who qualifies for and passes the state requirements to “practice law”.

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.

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