Attorney General
Definition
The chief law enforcement officer of the federal government or a state. The U.S. Attorney General represents the United States in litigation, oversees federal prosecutors, and advises the President and heads of federal, executive departments on legal matters. State attorneys general represent their states in litigation, oversee prosecutors, and advise members of their states' executive branches on legal matters.
Illustrative caselaw
See, e.g. Cuomo v. Clearing House Ass'n, L.L.C., 129 S.Ct. 2710 (2009).
See also
- Executive power
- U.S. Department of Justice: About the Office of the Attorney General
- Office of the New York Attorney General
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
Head of the United States Department of Justice and chief law officer of the federal government. The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters, oversees federal prosecutors, and provides legal advice to the president and to heads of executive governmental departments. Each state also has an attorney general, responsible for advising the governor and state agencies and departments about legal issues, and overseeing state prosecuting attorneys.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:11 pm
