Mass Black Judge

If you have a legal query related to state or federal law that you think the attorney general should address, writing is often the best route. The American Constitution Society offers resources regarding their state AG Project for further research on this topic.

Attorneys general are political appointees with various levels of private practice experience and sometimes military or law enforcement backgrounds. Their duties and responsibilities span an array of tasks such as:

Represents the State of Washington

Attorney generals represent their states and the public interest by prosecuting federal crimes and overseeing 93 U.S. attorneys that work across America to enforce federal laws.

Attorneys general collaborate with their state legislatures to propose and promote legislation designed to ensure citizens have fair, clear, and enforceable laws. Attorneys general have broad investigative and enforcement powers under parens patriae (protector of citizens from harm). Even without authorization from specific laws to act.

Craig joined the University of Washington Division in 2016. Before that he worked in Consumer Protection Division. Craig enjoys hiking in the mountains, traveling to new places and spending time with his family. A graduate from UW.

Represents the Public Interest

As their title suggests, attorneys general are the “people’s lawyer.” As guardians of residents’ legal rights and natural resources they will take the necessary steps to safeguard these.

While county prosecutors typically handle criminal matters, certain crimes fall under state statute and must be prosecuted by the Attorney General (AG). Furthermore, they also handle appeals on criminal cases.

As necessary, AGs provide legal advice to state agencies, officials and elected bodies as required. They issue formal written attorney general opinions to designated public officials on constitutional or legal questions as needed and represent the state when disputes involve its employees or agencies are being litigated against in courts of law. They also serve as ex officio members of state boards and commissions. Depending on state legislation, some AGs also act as liaison between their state government and federal counterparts on issues of mutual concern.

Investigates and Prosecutes Crimes

Under state laws, an attorney general may investigate and prosecute cases on his own or in conjunction with county prosecutors, district attorneys and federal officials. This often includes complex matters beyond the capabilities of local or county police departments such as murder investigations that span multiple counties or organized crime prosecutions.

An AG’s office conducts more than criminal prosecutions; in addition to consumer protection investigations like scams aimed at seniors or violations of clean air and water laws. Furthermore, their civil rights division also pursues claims made by residents against discrimination or harassment of parents or children in their community.

At a federal level, an attorney general serves as the legal adviser of the Department of Justice and advises both President Obama and cabinet departments. Their offices often consist of numerous lawyers, investigators and support staff that rival those found at large law firms.

Advises the Governor

Advisor to the Governor, members of the Legislature, state officers and other state personnel; formal written Attorney General’s opinions provided upon request from public officials or agencies on constitutional or legal questions concerning public safety or crime; represented State in litigation concerning public utilities; battled identity theft, mortgage-related fraud and consumer crimes while managing programs designed to safeguard consumers, workers and the environment.

Drafters of our state constitution intentionally placed our attorney general outside of executive department officials who serve at the pleasure of the governor, giving him some job security and independence. This gives him freedom to bring aggressive lawsuits challenging federal laws or taking strong actions against officials who violate New York laws on workplace protection or financial oversight.

Gives Formal Written Attorney General’s Opinions

Attorney general provides legal opinions upon request of designated state and local public officials and government agencies on issues of statutory interpretation. Courts accord great weight to his formal legal opinions.

Each formal opinion involves an extensive research and review process that starts with careful drafting by an assistant attorney general and Opinions Editor, followed by review by at least one other deputy attorney general and finally by the Attorney General himself – this process may take up to 180 days!

The office also creates informal opinions, which provide shorter responses and focus more closely on specific questions. Both formal and informal opinions serve as persuasive authority but cannot be binding in court of law.