whom does the attorney general represent and what is the legal authority of his decisions

by Stella Bergnaum 6 min read

The attorney general holds the power of attorney in representing a government in all legal matters. The attorney general is nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

What is the role of the 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. Attorney General Powers and Responsibilities

What is the difference between an attorney general and a Marshal?

Mar 23, 2010 · The attorney general holds the power of attorney in representing a government in all legal matters. The attorney general is nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. There is no designated term for the attorney general, rather the president can remove him or her from the office at any time.

What is the term of office for the Attorney 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.

What are the duties of a state attorney?

As a state agency ’s advisor, the Attorney General represents the agency in both administrative and judicial proceedings concerning the enforcement of the agency’s statutes, rules, and orders. As the chief legal officer of the State, the Attorney General is …

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Who does the US attorney general represent?

The U.S. Attorney General oversees the Department of Justice, represents the United States in litigation, and advises the President and heads of federal executive departments on legal matters. The U.S. Attorney General is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

What does the attorney general do?

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to: Represent the United States in legal matters. Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.Oct 8, 2021

Does the attorney general represent the people?

Overseeing more than 4,500 lawyers, investigators, sworn peace officers, and other employees, the Attorney General: Represents the People of California in civil and criminal matters before trial courts, appellate courts and the supreme courts of California and the United States.

What Department Attorney General represents the US in legal matters?

the United States Department of JusticeWashington, D.C. The United States attorney general (AG) leads the United States Department of Justice, and is the chief lawyer of the federal government of the United States. The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters.

What is Attorney General of a state?

Merrick GarlandUnited States / Attorney generalMerrick 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 United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1997 to 2021. Wikipedia

Who was the first Attorney General?

Edmund Jennings RandolphOn September 26, 1789, Edmund Jennings Randolph was appointed the first Attorney General of the United States by President George Washington.

Who is present Advocate General of India?

K. K. VenugopalThe 15th and current Attorney General is K. K. Venugopal....Attorney-General for India.Attorney General for IndiaSeatN-234-A, Greater Kailash-I, New DelhiAppointerPresident of India on advice of the Union CabinetTerm lengthPer the President's discretionConstituting instrumentArticle 76 of the Constitution9 more rows

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.Feb 20, 2020

What are the powers of the Attorney General of the Federation?

The Attorney-General has the power to institute in any court of competent jurisdiction any civil proceedings, with or without a relator, involving the rights and interests of the public which he deems necessary for the enforcement of Federal laws, the preservation of order and the prevention of public wrongs.Jan 26, 2021

What does DOJ stand for?

Department of JusticeAbout DOJ | DOJ | Department of Justice. Official websites use .gov. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Who is the DOJ now?

Merrick B. GarlandMeet the Attorney General Attorney General Merrick B. Garland was sworn in as the 86th Attorney General of the United States on March 11, 2021.7 days ago

Is the FBI under the DOJ?

As part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI reports the results of its investigations to the attorney general of the United States and his assistants in Washington, D.C., and to the United States attorneys' offices in the country's federal judicial districts.

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.

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 the Attorney General?

Attorneys throughout the country, the Attorney General may provide guidance interpreting the law to assist in prosecuting or defending the United States in legal proceedings. The Attorney General also oversees the federal prison system and all of the systems that pertain to it.

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.

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.

Who is in charge of the Justice Department?

The Attorney General is in charge of the Department and is responsible for all aspects of the Justice Department. The head of this vast bureaucracy has enough impact to shape the way laws are treated by law enforcement professionals across the country.

What is 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: Antitrust.

Who is Marissa Jordan?

Marissa Jordan is an accountant and freelance writer interested in current events, economics, and science. Formerly, she wrote for technical blogs on specialized software. When not writing or accounting, she likes spending time with family, reading, and trivia.

What does the Attorney General do?

The attorney general prosecutes cases that involve the government and gives advice to the president and heads of the executive departments when needed. As the chief officer of the Department of Justice, the attorney general enforces federal laws, provides legal counsel in federal cases, interprets the laws that govern executive departments, ...

Who is the attorney general appointed by?

Some attorneys general are elected in statewide contests, while others are appointed by the governor, legislature or supreme court. The projects that an attorney general can take on are wide ranging.

What is the role of an attorney?

While attorneys are responsible for prosecuting offenses against the United States and prosecuting or defending in proceedings in which the United States requires representation, marshals issue orders and processes under the authority of the United States.

What does the Attorney General do?

Further, the attorney general plays a direct role in law enforcement efforts and "coordinates statewide narcotics enforcement efforts, participates in criminal investigations and provides forensic science services, identification and information services and telecommunication support.".

What is the job of the Attorney General of California?

Duties. The attorney general acts as the state's chief law officer and oversees the California Department of Justice. He or she supervises the state's district and city attorneys, as well as its law enforcement officers.

How to become an attorney general?

Additionally, each candidate for attorney general must: 1 Be a registered voter 2 Be registered with their party for at least three months#N#Not have been registered with a different political party in the last 12 months 3 Not have been previously term-limited out

How many terms can a Lieutenant Governor serve?

No Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Secretary of State, or Treasurer may serve in the same office for more than 2 terms.

When is the attorney general election?

Elections. Attorneys general are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in federal midterm election years, e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030. Like all constitutional state officers, the attorney general assumes office on the first Monday in the new year following the election.

What happens when a governor vacancy occurs?

When a vacancy occurs, the governor nominates a replacement to serve the remainder of the term under the next election. The appointee must be confirmed by a majority of both house of the California legislature. Until the replacement is approved, the former officeholder's chief deputy exercises the office.

Who is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services?

The current officeholder is Rob Bonta, a Democrat. He was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to replace Xavier Becerra (D), who left office when he was confirmed as U.S. secretary of health and human services.

Conflicts in Representation and Due Process Rights

In a complicated case involving the investigation of a sitting attorney general, the Arizona Supreme Court addressed due process rights in administrative proceedings where a single individual acts as both prosecutor and decision maker.

Attorney General Control of Litigation on Behalf of the State

The authority of the Illinois attorney general to control all litigation on behalf of the state was reaffirmed in a recent decision.

Contingency Fee Contract with Outside Counsel is Permissible

As has been the case in other states, defendants’ challenge to the New Hampshire attorney general’s contingency fee contract with outside counsel was dismissed. The state of New Hampshire retained an outside law firm to assist the Attorney General’s Office in investigating and litigating potential claims of fraudulent marketing of opioid drugs.

Authority to Issue Investigatory Subpoenas

The interplay of investigatory subpoenas and First Amendment rights was explored in a recent New York case. The New York attorney general issued investigatory subpoenas to a non-profit operator of crisis pregnancy centers.

Attorney General Representation of Private Parties

The South Dakota Supreme Court addressed the question of attorney general representation of private parties in a recent decision. Owners of the land under a large lake filed suit to enjoin the use of the lake by the general public. South Dakota law provides that all waters in South Dakota are held by the state in trust for the public.

Attorney General Communications Not Categorically Exempt from FOI Requests

A Vermont court has ordered the Attorney General’s Office to release documents pursuant to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request that the attorney general argued are covered by attorney-client privilege.

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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. The Atto…
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How Does One Become Attorney General?

  • The position of Attorney General is an appointed one, nominated by the president and confirmed by the United States Senate. There is also a succession plan in place in the event there is no Attorney General due to absence or death, which allows the Deputy Attorney General to assume all powers and duties of the office. While the Deputy Attorney General would not be a confirmed …
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What Are The Most Important Powers of The Attorney General?

  • The Attorney General will provide advice and guidance to the president and other high ranking officials regarding the law and how it should be implemented. This provides the Attorney General with a great deal of power, as they would have the ability to shape how laxly or punitively the law is to be applied. As the Justice Department has such wide-reaching tentacles of power in matter…
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Who Is The Current Attorney General?

  • William Barr is the current Attorney General of the United States. He replaced Jeff Sessions in 2019 after President Trump fired Sessions. 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 a…
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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: 1. Antitrust 2. Civil 3. Civil Rights 4. Criminal 5. Environmental and Natural Resources 6. Tax Each division is headed up by an Assistant Attorney General, and man…
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History of The Attorney General

  • The Office of the Attorney General was createdin 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. The work quickly grew, requiring the addition of multiple assistants and private attorne…
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List of Attorneys General

  1. William Barr, 2019 – Present
  2. Jeff Sessions, 2017 – 2018
  3. Loretta Lynch, 2015 – 2017
  4. Eric Holder, Jr., 2009 – 2015
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The Rantt Rundown

  • The Department of Justice, created in 1789, has grown from a part-time, one-person office to become the world’s largest law office, encompassing sixty different agencies and offices. The Attorney General is in charge of the Department and is responsible for all aspects of the Justice Department. The head of this vast bureaucracy has enough impact to shape the way laws are tr…
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Current Officeholder

  • The current officeholder is Rob Bonta, a Democrat. He was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to replace Xavier Becerra (D), who left office when he was confirmed as U.S. secretary of health and human services.
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Authority

  • The office of attorney general is established by the California Constitution. California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11
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Qualifications

  • State law requires that the attorney general be admitted to practice before the California Supreme Courtfor five years before election. California Government Code, Section 12503 Additionally, each candidate for attorney general must: 1. Be a registered voter 2. Be registered with their party for at least three months 2.1. Not have been registered with a different political party in the last 12 mo…
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Elections

  • Attorneys general are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in federal midterm election years, e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030.Like all constitutional state officers, the attorney general assumes office on the first Monday in the new year following the election. California Constitution, Article 5, Section 11
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Vacancies

  • The vacancy procedure for the office of attorney general is determined by the Constitution. When a vacancy occurs, the governornominates a replacement to serve the remainder of the term under the next election. The appointee must be confirmed by a majority of both house of the California legislature. Until the replacement is approved, the former officeholder's chief deputy exercises th…
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Duties

  • The attorney general acts as the state's chief law officer and oversees the California Department of Justice. He or she supervises the state's district and city attorneys, as well as its law enforcement officers. The attorney general may personally prosecute any case that would normally be handled by a district or city attorney and represents the state in all cases before the …
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Divisions

  • As of January 12, 2021, the California Attorney General's Office is composed of the following divisions. 1. Public Safety 2. Opinions and Quo Warranto 3. Research Advisory Panel 4. Research Center 5. Children & Families 6. Civil Rights 7. Consumer Protection 8. Environment & Public Health
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Historical Officeholders

  • There have been 33 California attorneys general since 1849. Of the 32 officeholders, 19 were Democrat, 13 were Republican and one was American Independent.
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Recent News

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

  • Physical address: Attorney General's Office California Department of Justice Attention: Public Inquiry Unit Post Office Box 944255 Sacramento, CA 94244-2550 Phone: 916-210-6276 Fax:916-323-5341
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