what is the texas attorney general responsible for

What is the main function of the Attorney General?

The attorney general ensures the state's laws are followed and defends challenges to state law in court. The elected official oversees the California Department of Justice, which has over 4,500 employees and is one of the largest agencies in the state.

What does the US Attorney General investigate?

The Attorney General's responsibilities include safeguarding Californians from harm and promoting community safety, preserving California's spectacular natural resources, enforcing civil rights laws, and helping victims of identity theft, mortgage-related fraud, illegal business practices, and other consumer crimes.

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.

How do you know if the feds are investigating you?

Probably the second most common way people learn that they're under federal investigation is when the police execute a search warrant at the person's house or office. If the police come into your house and execute a search warrant, then you know that you are under investigation.

What's the difference between US attorney and Attorney General?

The president appoints U.S. attorneys, who mainly serve as administrators. Assistant U.S. attorneys handle the bulk of the trial work. 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.

What can a POA do and not do?

The POA cannot change or invalidate your Will or any other Estate Planning documents. The POA cannot change or violate the terms of the nominating documents -- otherwise they can be held legally responsible for fraud or negligence. The POA cannot act outside of the Principal's best interest.

Can a family member override a power of attorney?

If the agent is acting improperly, family members can file a petition in court challenging the agent. If the court finds the agent is not acting in the principal's best interest, the court can revoke the power of attorney and appoint a guardian.

Can Attorney General take private cases?

Also the AG is not a government servant and is not debarred from private legal practice. The attorney general can accept briefs but cannot appear against the Government. They cannot defend an accused in the criminal proceedings and accept the directorship of a company without the permission of the Government.

Can the feds take over a state case?

If a crime is committed that is a violation of local, state, and federal laws, does the FBI “take over” the investigation? No. State and local law enforcement agencies are not subordinate to the FBI, and the FBI does not supervise or take over their investigations.

What is the difference between Attorney General and Chief Justice?

Attorney General is the Chief Law Officer of the Government of India. CJI is the chief of Indian Judiciary.

Who can prosecute a criminal case against a defendant?

A prosecutor is any person who institutes criminal proceedings by way of indictment or information on behalf of the State, who is nominally the prosecutor in all criminal cases[11].

Why would I receive a letter from the Department of Justice?

Are You A Target Or Are You A Subject? The Department of Justice customarily sends target letters to individuals who are the target of a grand jury investigation and to those who are the subject of a grand jury investigation.

What is Attorney General Paxton's job?

Attorney General Paxton is focused on protecting Texans and upholding Texas laws and the Constitution. Fighting federal overreach, he filed 27 lawsuits against the Obama administration during a two-year stretch, of which six were heard in the U.S. Supreme Court. He's obtained an injunction or other winning ruling in more than 75 percent of the cases he's brought against the federal government.

How many employees does Attorney General Paxton have?

He was re-elected to a second term in 2018. As the state’s top law enforcement officer, Attorney General Paxton leads more than 4,000 employees in 38 divisions and 117 offices around Texas.

What district is Attorney General Paxton in?

First elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2002, Attorney General Paxton represented House District 70 for 10 years, one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. In 2012, he was elected to the Texas state Senate, representing Senate District 8 in Collin and Dallas counties.

Where did Attorney General Paxton go to law school?

Attorney General Paxton graduated from Baylor University, where he served as student body president, earning a B.A. in psychology and an M.B.A. After receiving a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, he worked as an attorney at Strasburger & Price, LLP, in-house counsel for J.C. Penney Company, and headed up his own law firm for 14 years in McKinney.

What is the Kush and Spice law in Texas?

His office has filed more than a dozen lawsuits to block the sale of synthetic cannabinoids (known as Kush and Spice) in Texas. The agency’s website provides Texans with the information and resources they need to become fully informed about the dangers of synthetic drugs and the opioid painkiller abuse crisis.

Who is the attorney general of Texas?

The Texas attorney general is the chief legal officer of the U.S. state of Texas. The current officeholder, Republican Ken Paxton, has served in the position since January 5, 2015.

What is the role of the Attorney General?

The attorney general is charged by the state constitution to represent the state in civil litigation and approve public bond issues. There are nearly 2,000 references to the Office of the Attorney General in state laws.

How long is the term of the Texas Attorney General?

The attorney general is elected to a four-year term. In 2013, former Attorney General Greg Abbott announced he would not seek reelection and would run for governor. In November 2014, he was elected as the governor of Texas. Ken Paxton defeated former House Representative Dan Branch in the Republican primary by a 26% margin ...

What building houses the Attorney General's office?

The William P. Clements State Office Building houses the Attorney General offices. The Office of the Attorney General was first established by executive ordinance of the Republic of Texas government in 1836.

What is the law enforcement division in Texas?

In addition, the Law Enforcement Division is the state of Texas liaison to Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The office is also charged with proceedings to secure child support through its Child Support Division.

Does the Texas Constitution give the Attorney General powers?

The Texas Constitution gives the attorney general no general law-enforcement powers; instead it limits the attorney general's authority in criminal cases to that dictated by statute. The Texas Legislature has not given the attorney general broad law-enforcement authority, but permits the attorney general to act in criminal cases "at ...

What is the Attorney General of Texas?

14 Footnotes. The Attorney General of Texas is the chief lawyer and legal officer for the state of Texas. According to the Texas Constitution, the attorney general defends the laws and the constitution of the state of Texas, represents the state in litigation, and approves public bond issues.

What is the Texas Statutes of the Attorney General?

See statutes: Texas Statutes Title 6, Chapter 659. The attorney general, along with the rest of Texas' executive officers, is entitled by Article 4, Section 23 of the Texas Constitution to receive an annual salary, pursuant to Title 6, Section 659.011 of the Texas Statutes.

How much does the Attorney General make in 2020?

In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $153,750 according to the Council of State Governments.

When did Justin Nelson advance to the Texas primary?

Justin Nelson advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Texas on March 6, 2018.

Who won the Texas Attorney General election?

Incumbent Ken Paxton defeated Justin Nelson and Michael Ray Harris in the general election for Attorney General of Texas on November 6, 2018.

Who won the 2010 Texas election?

To view the electoral history dating back to 2002 for the office of Texas Attorney General, Click to expand the section. On November 2, 2010, Greg Abbott won re-election to the office of Texas Attorney General. He defeated Barbara Ann Radnofsky (D) and Jon Roland (L) in the general election.

Is Texas a triplex state?

Texas has a Republican triplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.

Role in Criminal Cases

The Attorney General’s Office has no general authority in criminal cases. Instead, Texas law grants county or district attorneys primary jurisdiction to prosecute most criminal offenses.

About This Article

This article is part of Texapedia, the Encyclopedia of Texas Government. Information in this online encyclopedia is drawn from credible sources, including state laws, agency publications, reference books, historical works, and the Texas Constitution.

What is the role of the Attorney General?

The Attorney General is the Head of the Justice Department and the attorney for the United States in all legal matters. They dispense legal advice to the president and the heads of other governmental agencies when requested. The Attorney General may support important cases that go to the Supreme Court of the United States if the case is deemed important in nature.

When was the Office of the Attorney General created?

The Office of the Attorney General was created in 1789 and was intended to be a one-person position. The person in the position was supposed to be “learned in the law” and was tasked with conducting all suits in the Supreme Court and advising the president and cabinet in law-related matters.

What agencies are under the Department of Justice?

The Department of Justice is responsible for most of the legal business of the government, and therefore, many of the law enforcement agencies throughout the country. There are six litigating divisions in the department:

How many times has Barr been Attorney General?

Barr has served as Attorney General twice, once during the George H.W. Bush administration from 1991 to 1993, and currently in the Trump administration. Barr has been consistent in his determination that the Executive branch claims absolute executive authority, contrary to our system of checks and balances.

What does Barr believe about the executive branch?

Barr believes that congressional subpoenas and restrictions to the President’s removal power and legislative vetoes are encroachments on the power of the Executive branch . In addition, Barr has indicated he is willing to do whatever it takes to preserve the power of the Trump presidency, even if constitutional violations occur.

What was Barr's role in the Iran Contra scandal?

When Barr served as Attorney General in the Bush (41) administration, he orchestrated the pardons for six people caught up in the Iran-Contra scandal. The ACLU has concluded of Barr’s record in both private and public life that “Barr amassed a record of advancing policies that advocated dragnet government surveillance, mass incarceration, and discriminatory profiling while pushing an aggressive theory of expansive executive power that sidelines Congress’ constitutional role in checking the president.”

How many agencies does the Department of Justice have?

The Department of Justice touches nearly every part of legal life in America, from violent crime to tax code violations, with nearly sixty separate and distinct agencies listed on the DOJ website. Other notable agencies the DOJ is responsible for include:

What is the Attorney General of Texas?

The Attorney General is the constitutional, statewide elected official who acts as the attorney for the State of Texas. The Attorney General: 1 enforces state consumer protection laws; 2 collects court-ordered child support; and 3 administers the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.

Who maintains the oversight of state agencies in Texas?

Many agencies have ombudsmen or complaint resolution procedures available to Texans. Ultimate oversight of state agencies is maintained by the Texas Legislature, which establishes agency mandates and approves agency budgets.

How to contact the Texas State Law Library?

The Library, which houses all state and federal codes and statutes, can be reached at (512) 463-1722 or on the Web at www.sll.state.tx.us. I’m having trouble with my utility.

What to do if you disagree with Texas appraisal?

If you disagree with the tax rate, make your views known to the appropriate taxing authority (city, county, school district or other). If you want to complain about the actions of an appraiser, contact the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board at (512) 465-3950 or on the Web at www.talcb.state.tx.us.

How to contact Texas Open Meetings?

For information about the Texas Public Information Act or the Texas Open Meetings Act, you may wish to call our open government hotline at (512) 478-OPEN (6736) or toll-free at (877) OPEN TEX (673-6839). In addition, our open government publications are available on our Web site at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or upon request by calling (512) ...

How to contact the Attorney General for child support?

For information about child support services, call the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division at (800) 252-8014 or consult your phone directory for the number to your local office. Information is also available on the Office of the Attorney General Web site at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.

How to resolve a complaint with the BBB?

You may be able to resolve your complaint by mediation or arbitration. Many cities have non-profit alternative dispute resolution centers and private mediators. In addition, your local Better Business Bureau may offer mediation or arbitration services between consumers and BBB member businesses. Small Claims Court or a Justice of the Peace court may also be able to help. If the issue is very complicated or a large sum of money is involved, you may wish to consult an attorney. The State Bar offers a Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 252-9690. If you cannot afford an attorney, you might be able to find assistance at a clinic sponsored by a nearby law school.

What is the role of the Attorney General of Texas?

The Texas Attorney General is charged the Texas constitution to defend the laws and the writings within the constitution. Additionally, the Attorney General Texas must represent the state in litigation and approve bond issues present in the public.

What is the Texas Attorney General?

What is the Attorney General Texas? The Texas Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the state of Texas. The Office of the Attorney General Texas was first established through executive ordinance of the state’s government in 1836. Under the state’s constitution, in 1845, the Texas Attorney General was appointed by the governor; however, ...

What is the Attorney General's office in Texas?

In addition to these roles, the Office of the Attorney General Texas will also act as a law enforcement agency and as such, will employ a staff of sworn peace officers, who investigate special classes of offenses, pursuit fugitives and conduct investigations at the requests of local prosecutors. The office is also formally responsible for overseeing proceedings to secure child support and investigations revolving around Medicaid Fraud.

How to contact the TX Attorney General?

The Consumer Protection hotline of the TX Attorney General Office may be reached via telephone at 800-621-0508. Furthermore, the Child Support State Office may be reached via phone at 512-460-6000.

What does an elected official do in Texas?

To fulfill these various responsibilities, the elected official will serve as legal counsel to all coordinating boards and agencies of the Texas state government, issue legal opinions when requested by the governor, head various state agencies and other officials as provided by statute and sit as the ex-officio member of state committees and commissions.

What is the Attorney General's Child Support Division?

The Attorney General Child Support division is one of the most comprehensive government departments in the state. The Attorney General Child Support division oversees all litigation issues connected to child support matters, such as custody and payment issues. If an individual is seeking child support payments or is looking to initiate legal action against a defaulted party, the Attorney General Child Support division will handle all inquiries and general matters concerning the child support issue.

The Philosophy of The Office of The Attorney General

The Values of The Office of The Attorney General

The Work of The Office of The Attorney General

• The Attorney General Ken Paxton is the State of Texas’s chief legal officer. As provided by the Texas Constitution and statutes, the main responsibilities of the Office of Attorney General are: 1. Defending the State of Texas and its duly enacted laws by providing legal representation to the State, its officials and agencies, rendering legal opinio...

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Current Officeholder

Qualifications

Vacancies

Elections

• Article 4, Section 2 of the Texas Constitution states: "All the above officers of the Executive Department (except Secretary of State) shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State at the time and places of election for members of the Legislature." The attorney general is elected to serve for a four-year term. There is no term limitfor this...

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Divisions

Historical Officeholders

Recent News