who can investigate the ny attorney generals office

by Milford Buckridge 5 min read

What does the New York State Attorney General do?

The Attorney General's authority to prosecute crimes is found throughout the laws of New York State. For example, the Attorney General has independent criminal jurisdiction to prosecute fraud in the sale of securities, bid-rigging, and violations of the New York State Labor Laws dealing with the amount that workers must be paid.

Who is responsible for criminal prosecution in New York State?

Criminal Prosecutions. The Criminal Prosecution Bureau has attorneys located throughout the State of New York and is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of a wide variety of criminal cases brought by the Attorney General. The Attorney General's authority to prosecute crimes is found throughout the laws of New York State.

What is the Attorney General’s report on the NYPD response to protests?

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released a preliminary report into her office’s ongoing investigation into the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) response to recent protests. This preliminary report includes an in-depth account of the interactions that occurred between NYPD and protesters between late May and June.

What is the relationship between the governor and the Attorney General?

While the Attorney General acts independently of the Governor, the Governor or a state agency may request the Attorney General to undertake specific criminal investigations and prosecutions.

image

Who does the NYS Attorney General report to?

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.

How do I report a lawyer misconduct in NY?

A complaint should be filed, by email or regular mail, with the attorney grievance committee having jurisdiction over the county in the State of New York in which the attorney maintains their office for the practice of law.

What does the NYS Inspector General do?

The Inspector General's functions and responsibilities include receiving and investigating complaints concerning allegations of corruption, fraud, criminal activity, conflicts of interest or abuse in any entity under the Inspector General's jurisdiction.

What does the US attorney general investigate?

AGs investigate and bring actions under their states' respective unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices laws (“UDAP laws”). UDAP laws tend to broadly prohibit “deceptive” or “unconscionable” acts against consumers.

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

How do you find out if an attorney has been disciplined in NY?

The New York court system has added records showing whether an attorney has been disciplined to its publicly available online database.

Who is the Inspector General 2021?

Michael Evan Horowitz (born September 19, 1962) is an American attorney and government official. He is the Inspector General of the United States Department of Justice. New York City, New York, U.S.

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.

How do I file a criminal complaint against someone?

In order to start a criminal case against someone when the police aren't involved, you must:Go to the police station in the city/town closest to where the incident/offense took place.Get a Police Incident Report form and fill out the form.Submit the form to the police.

Can my attorney go to court for me?

If you are a perpetrator of a misdemeanor, your attorney is allowed to appear in court for you. He/she may defend your rights without your presence on your behalf at all stages of your case.

What is the authority of the Attorney General of New York?

The Attorney General's authority to prosecute crimes is found throughout the laws of New York State. For example, the Attorney General has independent criminal jurisdiction to prosecute fraud in the sale of securities, bid-rigging, and violations of the New York State Labor Laws dealing with the amount that workers must be paid.

What are the New York State agencies?

Some of those State agencies include: the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, the New York State Education Department, the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Police. The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau is comprised of several units, ...

What is the criminal division?

The Criminal Division is comprised of the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Organized Crime Task Force, and the Public Integrity Bureau.

What is the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau?

The Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau is comprised of several units, including the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit (“AIFU”), the Crime Proceeds Strike Force and the Environmental Crimes Unit.

What is the Criminal Prosecution Bureau?

The Criminal Prosecution Bureau has attorneys located throughout the State of New York and is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of a wide variety of criminal cases brought by the Attorney General. The Attorney General's authority to prosecute crimes is found throughout the laws of New York State.

What is the purpose of the Public Integrity Bureau?

The Public Integrity Bureau (“PIB”) investigates and seeks to vindicate the public's interest in honest government. When government actors, or private individuals acting in concert with them, engage in corruption, fraud or illegal behavior in the course of their public duties, the PIB may investigate or take enforcement action to restore the public's interest in honest government and the integrity of government officials at the state and local level. Specifically, PIB handles complex investigations into government corruption, fraud and abuse of authority. Although PIB is part of the Criminal Division, PIB brings cases pursuant to both civil and criminal authority. The Bureau can also issue reports about its investigations and findings.

What is the NYPD investigation?

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released a preliminary report into her office’s ongoing investigation into the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) response to recent protests. This preliminary report includes an in-depth account of the interactions that occurred between NYPD and protesters between late May and June. It also includes recommendations for systemic police reforms in light of the clear breakdown of trust between the police and the public, including removing unilateral power from the NYPD Commissioner in favor of a commission. At the conclusion of the investigation, Attorney General James will issue a more detailed, final report with recommendations specifically related to NYPD’s conduct in policing the protests.

Who should the NYPD report to?

Instead, it should report directly to the New York City Mayor and be a fully independent agency.

How many complaints has OAG received?

Since May 30, OAG has received more than 1,300 complaints and pieces of evidence through a dedicated online portal and phone and email hotlines. Attorney General James also held a three-day public hearing with testimony from more than 100 protesters, community-based organizations, elected officials, and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea.

What is the NYPD accused of?

Treatment of Press, Legal Observers, and Elected Officials: The NYPD has been accused of arresting and using force against credentialed members of the press and engaging in “catch and release” tactics to prevent press from fully reporting on their observations. The OAG will also examine whether NYPD is the appropriate entity to be in charge of issuing press credentials. Similarly, OAG heard testimony about NYPD’s alleged mistreatment of numerous elected officials and purported false arrests of legal observers.

How to ensure accountability for NYPD?

Additionally, all police officers in New York should be certified through a process that allows for “decertifying” officers engaged in misconduct, preventing them from remaining a police officer or being rehired by another department in the state. The NYPD should create an open data portal and release body-worn camera footage to ensure that individual officer misconduct is truly transparent.

What tactic did the NYPD use?

Use of “Kettling” Tactic: The OAG received complaints about a tactic NYPD used whereby officers surrounded and blocked protesters, preventing them from leaving an area without making direct contact with police officers. According to witnesses, this practice often led to violent clashes between NYPD and protesters.

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

As the “People's Lawyer,” the Attorney General serves as the guardian of the legal rights of the citizens of New York, its organizations and its natural resources. In their role as the State's chief legal counsel, the Attorney General not only advises the Executive branch of State government, but also defends actions and proceedings on behalf ...

What is the Attorney General's authority?

The Attorney General's authority also includes the activities and investigations of the State Organized Crime Task Force and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. While the Attorney General acts independently of the Governor, the Governor or a state agency may request the Attorney General to undertake specific criminal investigations and prosecutions.

What powers does the Attorney General have?

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 are the divisions of the Department of Law?

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.

image