The attorney general (AG) serves as head of the Department of Justice and chief law enforcement officer of the United States. Under the Judiciary Act of 1789, this office was created with full power “to prosecute and conduct all suits brought against the United States before the Supreme Court”.
AGs also advise the President on appointments to federal judicial positions and Department of Justice roles such as U.S. attorneys.
The People’s Lawyer
Attorneys general (AGs) in each state serve as legal advisers and advocates for public interest, representing state government agencies and legislatures and acting on behalf of their constituents. AGs take on many tasks from protecting a state’s constitution and laws to criminal justice enforcement, civil rights enforcing laws enforcement and Medicaid fraud prevention as well as overseeing investigations relating to local businesses or nonprofit donors.
Many states maintain Attorney General (AG) offices with teams of attorneys and investigators that rival the size of some private law firms. This often includes a criminal division to prosecute cases outside of district attorney jurisdiction as well as handling criminal appeals.
Attorneys General are an invaluable source of advice and expertise on federal matters for Presidents and other executive branch officials, such as advising them on appointments for federal judicial positions or Department of Justice roles (including U.S. Attorneys or Marshals ) or by filing amici briefs in federal cases.
The Chief Legal Officer
In the United States, the Attorney General serves as both chief law enforcement officer and leader of the Department of Justice. Their Office serves as a central agency responsible for upholding federal laws; providing advice and opinions on legal matters to President and other executive departments/agencies as requested; in cases of exceptional gravity/importance they may even appear before the Supreme Court themselves.
Chief Legal Officers (CLOs) serve as the cornerstone of private enterprise legal teams, overseeing in-house attorneys and providing advice to executives about major legal and regulatory matters while working to minimize legal risks. Gain more insight into this essential position.
The People’s Defender
Attorneys general serve as chief legal officers for state government agencies and legislatures, representing public interest as they represent state governments before federal courts when necessary. Their primary role is advising state government entities of their legal rights as they represent public agencies or legislatures entrusted with their care, while serving as representatives of their clients in federal legal proceedings when necessary.
Attorneys general operate independently from both Governor and Executive Branch officials, fulfilling the responsibilities of the Department of Law as entrusted by state governments; conducting criminal and civil investigations, defending actions brought on behalf of the state, promoting economic justice and social equity, supporting harm-reducive public health strategies, as well as conserving natural resources of their state.
In June 1870, Congress enacted legislation creating the Department of Justice as an executive department and appointed its first Attorney General as its head. Since then, they have guided what is today one of the world’s largest law offices and central enforcement agency of federal laws – also becoming members of Cabinet and seventh in line of succession to presidency.
The People’s Advocate
The People’s Advocate (Avokat i Popullit) protects individual’s rights, freedoms, and lawful interests against unlawful or incorrect actions or omissions by public administration bodies or third-party acting on their behalf. Their main function is also preventing potential conflicts between public administration bodies and individual.
The Office of Attorney General oversees one of the nation’s largest public law offices, enforcing laws designed to protect consumers, tenants, patients, workers and investors while encouraging harm-reducing public health strategies and conserving natural resources of the state. Attorneys general operate independently from their governor and legislature counterparts.
In New York City, he championed legislation to transform policing by reforming the NYPD’s use of Stop, Question & Frisk tactics against communities of color. Additionally, he helped fund Cure Violence Groups that work towards decreasing shootings within NYC.