Attorney generals play an essential role in state executive branches by representing citizens and representing their interests before government bodies and legislatures. Beyond criminal prosecution and legislative advice, attorneys general manage a wide variety of programs and activities on behalf of their state.
Selecting an outstanding opening paragraph is of utmost importance in ensuring the success of any essay. It should concisely convey the topic or question your essay will examine, while being both engaging and informative.
How many attorney generals have there been?
The Attorney General is one of America’s longest-standing Cabinet positions, having first been created by Congress through the Judiciary Act in 1789. Original duties included representing the United States in Supreme Court cases as well as providing advice or opinion when requested by Presidents or heads of departments.
Letitia “Tish” James currently serves as the 83rd Attorney General for the United States of America. As an ardent public servant who has dedicated herself to fighting for social justice and civil rights throughout her career, Tish has amassed significant legal experience across a broad spectrum of law topics.
As with most past attorneys general, she holds degrees from Harvard and Yale law schools and boasts extensive knowledge about the legal system as well as substantial management experience. Michael Mukasey served 18 years under President George W. Bush before serving on federal courts for almost 20 years before taking on his current post as attorney general.
How many states have attorney generals?
Attorney generals are elected statewide in 43 states and six jurisdictions; appointed by governors in five and six, respectively; or selected by state supreme courts in two. Their main responsibilities are serving as chief legal officers for their jurisdictions, providing guidance and counsel to state government agencies and legislatures, advocating public policy initiatives while acting as prosecutor and upholding state laws.
Today’s attorneys general play an increasingly expansive role. They oversee and lead multiple areas of public advocacy such as utility regulation, consumer protection, antitrust law, toxic waste disposal, child support enforcement and terrorism investigations.
Some attorneys general go on to become governors of their states, such as West Virginia’s Patrick Morrisey; others take on federal positions like Janet Napolitano as U.S. secretary of homeland security or Kamala Harris in California as US senator and presidential candidate. Qualifications for becoming state attorney general differ by state but often include citizenship and residency requirements, an educational degree in law or equivalent experience and bar admission.
How many attorney generals have been impeached?
The Attorney General serves as the chief law enforcement official in the United States and leads the Department of Justice. They are appointed by the President with approval by both chambers of Congress; any criminal act could result in their removal. Impeachable offenses include both high crimes and misdemeanors that can result in their removal from office.
William Wilfley became the last federal Attorney General to be impeached, in 1908. He was accused of engaging in bribery and obstruction of justice before being cleared by the House of Representatives.
Recent years have witnessed several attempts at impeachment against Eric Holder, the current Attorney General. Holder was charged with failing to defend the Defense of Marriage Act and Fast and Furious scandal – charges which he ultimately was cleared from. Many lawmakers have called for reforms to the way Attorneys General are selected and impeached; specifically allowing only for cause fired AG’s, as well as setting specific grounds of removal rather than generalized ones like “high crimes and misdemeanors”.
How many attorney generals have been removed from office?
United States Attorneys General serve as the highest law enforcement official, overseeing various agencies under their oversight. Nominees for Attorney General positions must be approved by both houses of Congress before being confirmed for office by either President Obama or Senate confirmation; Attorneys General can be removed through impeachment proceedings.
Alberto Gonzales was a Harvard law school graduate who served as the 78th Attorney General from November 2007 to January 2009 under President George W. Bush and became widely known for his efforts against Internet predators and terrorism.
California Attorney General represents and advises state government, as well as initiating legal actions on its behalf. He/she serves as head of the Department of Law and must be elected for four-year terms alongside Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Superintendent of Public Instruction in each election cycle. In addition, this office manages various programs and projects related to narcotics enforcement, fraud prevention and consumer protection.
