State Attorney Generals (AG) serve as legal advisers to state governments. Additionally, they oversee law enforcement operations within their respective states and oversee enforcement of civil rights laws.
They may include attorneys, investigators and support workers depending on the size and nature of their office in a state.
The United States
The Attorney General serves as chief legal officer of the U.S. Department of Justice and acts as head of law enforcement in America. She prosecutes federal crimes while offering advice and opinions to Presidents, executive department heads and other decision makers when needed.
In addition to prosecuting civil and criminal cases, the Office of the Attorney General also pursues policy matters. It develops and works on policy initiatives; staffs committees and task forces; interacts with local, state, and federal agencies; as well as conducting outreach and training programs.
The Office of the Attorney General serves to assist State attorneys and other government officers in performing their official duties by providing informal and formal legal opinions on an array of topics – such as constitutional interpretation and application of Federal statutes as well as construction of statutes and constitution provisions – on various legal matters. Our Opinions Bureau comprises attorneys and paralegals from across the nation who work collaboratively on this work.
The United Kingdom
An attorney general in Britain is an elected minister without portfolio who performs many important responsibilities for their government, acting as legal adviser and overseeing the Government Legal Department and prosecuting authorities in England and Wales; additionally they perform several public interest functions including appealing against unduly lenient sentences before the Court of Appeal and seeking reexaminations of inquests.
The solicitor general serves as de facto attorney general and assumes some of their responsibilities. They assist the attorney general in overseeing Crown Prosecution Service, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and Service Prosecuting Authority as well as providing support in civil litigation and advice on civil law issues.
Attorney and solicitor general are both Members of Parliament who serve as senior government lawyers; however, the roles require some level of independence from government and party politics and do not typically expect active MPs or political figures as Attorney Generals and Solicitors General.
The European Union
The European Union consists of numerous bodies which exist to implement EU policy into action on the ground. This includes EU institutions, agencies and organisations.
At present, the EU Attorney General is charged with supporting the Court of Justice of the European Union by offering its advice in cases brought before it – this service is carried out with complete impartiality and independence.
The EU is considering creating an European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which would have sole authority to investigate crimes that impact its budget, such as fraud, bribery and money laundering involving EU-funded projects.
The office would be staffed by advocates general appointed by governments of Member States with qualifications equal to that of judges in their highest courts. Advocates general will enjoy immunity as judges do and cannot be removed before their six year terms have ended. As it expands further in future, EPPO could encompass other serious transborder crimes as well.
The Asia-Pacific region
Asia Pacific region is distinguished by its diversity and rapid economic development. Its distinctive culture results from an openness towards economic development combined with both civilizational influence and indigenous ethnic cultures; for instance Japan was heavily impacted by Chinese civilization while still maintaining its native traditions, a trend which continues throughout this region.
APEC continues to build regional cooperation, taking into account the various stages of economic development of its members. Furthermore, it fosters global perspectives by discussing major international issues like the Cambodian conflict and Gulf crisis.
Japan strives to deepen cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region on the basis of the philosophy that realizing its potential is essential. Japan plans on cooperating closely with ASEAN, which is an advanced organization, to contribute to regional stability. Furthermore, it will promote regional collaboration efforts against cybercrime.