Difference between revisions of "United States Attorney General"
(New page: The United States Attorney General is a Cabinet member in charge of the Department of Justice and the chief law enforcement officer of the [[United States of ...) |
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| − | The United States Attorney General is a [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] | + | The '''United States Attorney General''' is a the chief law enforcement officer of the [[United States of America|U.S.]] |
| + | government. His or her's job is to advise and represent the government in important legal matters and to initiate and supervise legal proceedings that affect the welfare of the nation. | ||
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| + | The post was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Attorney General, who is appointed by the president with the consent of the [[United States Senate|Senate]], is a member of the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]]. Among the duties of the office are the administration of the [[Department of Justice]], the examination of titles of property acquired by the U.S. for public purposes, the presentation of cases in the courts on behalf of the government, the prosecution of criminal cases involving the government, the direction of the system of federal penitentiaries, and the supervision of special matters involving national defense. The Attorney General also provides legal advice to the president and the heads of executive departments. These opinions are not confidential; rather, they are published and provide precedents and guidelines for future action. Serving under the Attorney General is the Solicitor General, who represents the government in cases before the United [[States Supreme Court]]. | ||
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| + | Each of the states has an official with duties similar to those of the U.S. Attorney General. In some, the state official is appointed by the governor and in others the official is popularly elected. | ||
Revision as of 15:22, June 14, 2007
The United States Attorney General is a the chief law enforcement officer of the U.S. government. His or her's job is to advise and represent the government in important legal matters and to initiate and supervise legal proceedings that affect the welfare of the nation.
The post was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Attorney General, who is appointed by the president with the consent of the Senate, is a member of the Cabinet. Among the duties of the office are the administration of the Department of Justice, the examination of titles of property acquired by the U.S. for public purposes, the presentation of cases in the courts on behalf of the government, the prosecution of criminal cases involving the government, the direction of the system of federal penitentiaries, and the supervision of special matters involving national defense. The Attorney General also provides legal advice to the president and the heads of executive departments. These opinions are not confidential; rather, they are published and provide precedents and guidelines for future action. Serving under the Attorney General is the Solicitor General, who represents the government in cases before the United States Supreme Court.
Each of the states has an official with duties similar to those of the U.S. Attorney General. In some, the state official is appointed by the governor and in others the official is popularly elected.
