You might have already heard of the attorney general. But, like many people, you might not know what they do and their role in the government. An attorney general holds the power of attorney. Though, unlike the other lawyers, they represent the government in all legal matters.
The attorney general is one of the most senior-ranking members of the government. They’re part of the president’s cabinet. They’re also ranked below the president with regard to legal authority. Do you want to learn more about attorney general? This article will answer the often-asked question, “what does the attorney general do?” It will also provide you with details on what are the duties of an attorney general.
Determining “What Does the Attorney General Do?”
Did you know that the first person to serve as attorney general was Edmund Randolph? Appointed by George Washington, Randolph was in office between Sept. 26, 1789, and Jan. 26, 1794. So, what does an attorney general like him do? The attorney general is the highest-ranking law enforcement agency in the United States. This position is also one of the oldest in the federal government, created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The attorney general is the chief officer of the Department of Justice. They ensure the proper execution of federal law throughout the United States.
There is usually no designated term for the attorney general. This means the president can remove him or her from office at any time. Moreover, the attorney general can undergo impeachment and trial by Congress. That is if it’s deemed necessary. Keep in mind that the role of an attorney general is to serve as a counselor to government agencies. They also act as a representative of the public interest. Their duties are crucial and wide-reaching. They even prosecute cases that involve the government. They also give advice to the president and heads of the executive departments.
Moreover, as the chief officer of the Department of Justice, they enforce federal laws. They provide legal counsel in federal cases and interpret the laws. They even examine alleged violations of federal laws. Yes, attorneys are responsible for prosecuting offenses against the United States. They also prosecute or defend in proceedings, in which the US needs representation. But their general power does not end with that. Here are some of the duties and responsibilities of an attorney general:
● Monitors the DEA or Drug Enforcement Agency
● Federal prison in-charge
● Monitoring various departments like the Firearms, Tobacco, and Alcohol Departments
● Takes care of legislation proposals
● Makes sure of the proper enforcement of state and federal environmental laws
● Ensures that state agencies are receiving formal opinions issuances
● Serves as the state/state agencies’ representative in federal and state courts
● Manages compensation initiatives for victims
● Works well with foreign law enforcement organizations
● Advocates for child support implementation, protection of consumers, and regulation of antitrust.
● Good in instituting civil suits for the state he represents
● Serves as the voice of the public when it comes to solicitation and charity matters
● Manages criminal prosecutions and criminal appeals in a wider scope well
The attorney general’s schedule on a normal day usually could vary. After all, the attorney general has several different constituencies they need to address. These include law enforcement to the people in the Bureau of Prisons.
Moreover, there are times when people ascribe actions for they are not responsible. These include overseeing the CIA and providing legal advice to Congress. They’re also tasked to oversee state justice departments. They were even assigned to act as the president’s personal attorney.
According to experts, there are several people involved in the attorney general office. There is an attorney general on the federal level. There’s also an attorney general at the state, commonwealth, and territory levels. Both kinds of attorney generals almost have the same duties. But the federal attorney general works on a smaller statewide scale. Keep in mind that the specific duties of these two lawyers vary from state to state. That’s because some attorneys general are often elected in statewide contests. There are also others appointed by the governor, legislature, or supreme court.
Here are some of the things that differentiate these two kinds of the attorney general:
Federal Attorney General
The federal attorney general is often chosen by the president of the US and then confirmed by the US Senate. Remember that this is not an elected role. It is a person chosen by those in elected roles. As such, there is not a set amount of time that one serves as an attorney general. A US attorney general can serve for 37 years and even more. That’s because only the president can remove the attorney general. The president can also pick a replacement at any time.
The job of a federal attorney general is to head the Department of Justice. They provide legal counsel to the oval office as a member of the cabinet of the president. Other duties of the US attorney general include the following:
● Enforcing federal laws and prosecuting violators
● Interpreting the meaning of federal laws
● Heading federal incarceration facilities
● Representing the country in the Supreme Court in very important cases
State Attorneys General
State attorneys generally serve a similar role to the federal attorney general. But its role is on a state level. There are other state attorney generals chosen by-election. There are also those selected by their governors or legislature.
Experts say that a crucial part of the state attorney’s role is the Consumer Protection Division. The Consumer Protection Division handles the violation of the FDUTPA. FDUTPA is the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices. What cases do the state attorney general handle in the Consumer Protection Division? For example, if someone accused your business of a scam, this is who you’ll be dealing with.Are you looking for lawyers in Florida who can help you with your case? Warner and Warner can aid you in getting the justice you deserve. Our best lawyers in Florida have extensive legal experience. They can help you get full compensation for your injuries. You can send your queries to info@warnerandwarner.com. You can also reach us at (321) 972-1889 or drop us a line here.