The Attorney General serves as counsel to both the Governor and heads of state agencies, commissions and boards. Furthermore, this individual issues legal opinions as well as defends against challenges to state laws as well as any lawsuits brought against state officials and agencies.
AGs often advocate for policy initiatives at both state and federal levels by proposing legislation, testifying before committees, writing letters to officials and initiating investigations.
Enforcement
State attorneys general play an essential role in upholding justice, security and liberty for all. Representing public interests through litigation against federal and state agencies who exceed their authority as well as protecting landmark legislation and policies is their core function.
Attorney generals serve as legal advisors to major agencies, boards, commissions, and elected officials of their state government, providing advice upon request from these parties. Attorneys general also serve as ex-officio members on various committees and commissions within their state as well as defend challenges to state laws and agencies from lawsuits filed by citizens or challengers.
State attorneys general are charged with prosecuting violations of local and state criminal law, such as homicide, murder, robbery, burglary, sexual assault and child abuse. They may also bring civil actions to address wrongs that affect the public at large; such as when employers violate minimum wage and overtime laws which can lead to fines and restitution being awarded for workers who were exploited by employers; furthermore they strive to prevent online predatory behavior which exploits children by creating statewide child predator units.
Policy
Attorneys general provide protection to state residents and the environment, fighting on behalf of people wronged by large corporations or governments. When necessary, they take legal action to recover money owed from those who break state laws that harm public welfare; additionally they create progressive policy solutions and serve on boards and commissions designed to safeguard taxpayers, children, elderly residents and vulnerable communities.
New York’s AG, for example, has been at the forefront of reforming criminal justice by fighting police brutality and supporting community-based alternatives to incarceration. He’s also taken on gun lobby organizations while safeguarding consumers against scams and negligence.
Attorneys general provide legal opinions to state officials upon request from the Governor, members of the legislature and other state entities; as well as serving as legal advisor to boards and agencies of the State government. Attorneys general review agency rules and regulations as well as defend challenges brought against state laws by private parties; they can also conduct background checks on non-profit charitable organizations to ensure they operate legally without mislead donors.
Legislative
At the state level, AGs work to maintain order by filing lawsuits against federal agencies that violate residents in their state. They also share their views in federal cases through amicus briefs submitted as amici curiae briefs and work closely with legislatures on improving laws through new legislation proposals.
The Attorney General’s Office typically comprises a large team of attorneys, investigators and support staff resembling some major law firms. They offer services and programs designed to aid district attorneys, local police departments and other criminal justice partners.
Attorneys general possess wide investigative and enforcement powers to safeguard their states’ citizens under the legal principle of parens patriae. Attorneys general have taken on predatory landlords that hurt tenants, worked hard to keep abortion clinics open, and gone all the way up to the Supreme Court to stop adding citizenship questions to census forms. Furthermore, these attorneys also address corruption while working towards safeguarding consumers and workers.
Public Education
Every state is represented by an Attorney General who serves to represent their constituents in court proceedings, defend the government against lawsuits, bring legal actions against violators of state laws, and propose new laws to legislatures.
Through their divisions of Civil Rights, Environmental Protection, Consumer Affairs and Labor, AGs conduct affirmative investigations and take enforcement actions against violations of New York State law in areas like antidiscrimination, consumer fraud, labor, securities and environmental protection. Furthermore, AGs work tirelessly to safeguard children through juvenile justice systems as well as reduce jailing or detention through community-based alternatives.
New York AG Letitia James reminds school districts of critical constitutional principles and federal laws such as Plyler, the Education of All Students Act. Her focus on universal free public education for every child regardless of immigration status was central in this effort.