The Attorneys General serve to defend state agencies when they are sued, as well as prosecute companies that violate New Jersey laws including environmental, consumer protection, labor rights and civil rights legislation. Furthermore, they work towards reducing juvenile crime through the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission.
Attorneys general provide counsel and representation of state governments, legislatures, and constituents alike. Discover more of their duties and powers with this episode of ACS Broken Law!
Enforcement of Laws
As the primary legal office in their state government, attorneys general and their staff play an essential role in making state agencies run more smoothly on an everyday basis. This includes providing advice to all state boards and agencies as well as formal/informal opinions regarding legal matters as well as representing them when sued or threatened with suit.
Attorney General Greg Aguirre also prosecutes criminal cases related to computer crimes, gang activity, theft of state property or money from taxpayers and more. His office defends state officers and agencies when sued while taking on complex civil cases such as appealing convictions on appeal or filing lawsuits to protect citizens’ rights.
One of the primary duties of an attorney general is challenging Supreme Court rulings when they differ with lower court decisions. Former Pennsylvania attorney general Ernie Preate represented Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey before the Supreme Court, winning its approval and setting forth new standards that states may not impose undue burdens on women seeking abortions.
The Attorney General’s Office can also tackle other legal challenges, such as filing suit against corporations that violate consumer protection laws or civil suits against companies who disregard environmental or antitrust regulations. They may even investigate public corruption cases such as one involving Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy at a Philadelphia bar fight in 2014.
Legislative Drafting
Attorneys general play a pivotal role in legislative drafting and preparation. Legislative drafting can be an intricate and tedious process that involves careful analysis of legal problems, the organization of matters in an logical sequence and precise expression of concepts; drafters must also adhere to constitutional limitations and other constraints that limit what can be legally done – all to produce comprehensive legislation that fulfills Congress’ intent without producing unintended effects.
The Attorney General’s office serves a dual role of representing state officials in lawsuits as well as legal counsel to all state boards and agencies, issuing legal opinions when requested by Governor or heads of departments and offices within state government, and acting as ex-officio members on state commissions and committees.
Investigative staff of this office assess consumer and healthcare complaints, environmental hazards and other concerns to ensure state law is being followed. For example, this office has opposed mergers between healthcare systems that might stifle innovation or investigated matters such as drug trafficking and Medicaid fraud.
The Attorney General’s Office employs 830 individuals who work on criminal, civil and consumer protection cases. Their focus areas include protecting access to abortion services in New York and investigating violations of wage-hour laws in New York state.
Consultation with Agencies
The Attorney General’s Office serves as the primary legal adviser for state departments, boards and agencies. In addition to offering advice, representation in civil litigation proceedings and prosecution of claims on behalf of state officials for money owed to them from civil claims recoveries; conducting investigations of homicides or crimes that occur; providing advice to district attorneys as requested; giving written opinions upon questions of law submitted from governor, legislature or state agencies.
The office also oversees 49 professional licensing boards that regulate over 750,000 individuals and businesses. Furthermore, funds from federal grants such as Victims of Crime Compensation and Byrne Justice Assistance Grant programs are distributed here as well.
Additionally, this office performs many other non-statutory but ministerial responsibilities that do not fall within statute, such as advising the Governor and heads of state agencies as to whether proposed legislation complies with constitutional guidelines and international treaties that the State has joined. Furthermore, the office acts as the State’s agent in certain federal matters and offers its assistance during legal proceedings.
The Attorney General’s Office employs 830 staff across New York state. Attorney General Letitia James is dedicated to creating an inclusive workforce within her office that represents New York’s diversity; to achieve this aim, an Office of Diversity and Inclusion was created as part of Letitia James’ vision to foster an environment conducive to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) across all aspects of work in her office.
Public Education
Most people know what a state attorney general does: prosecuting crime. While that may be true for many of them, prosecuting crime is only part of what this office does – they also investigate complex crimes with federal investigators, prosecute child predators (more than 150 arrests were made last year alone in Pennsylvania alone!), public corruption cases and any offense that affects entire communities.
As mandated by statute, this office represents and defends the state when sued; provides legal opinions upon request to Governors, heads of state agencies, and others; serves on various boards and commissions; and more.
Promotes rule of law and state constitution through various means, including educational programs. Fights for the public interest by protecting vulnerable populations and going after fraudsters/predatory lenders as well as safeguarding state resources.
At a time when politicians often focus on disparaging each other, it can be helpful to remember that no matter who wins in November, your state attorney general exists to serve and defend the public interest. To learn more about their work as chief legal officers, tune in every two weeks to NAAG’s podcast The People’s Lawyer!