What is the role of Attorney General in the United States federal government?
Asked by: Prof. Crawford Pfannerstill IV | Last update: September 16, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (50 votes)
The United States attorney general is the head of the United States Department of Justice and serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government. The attorney general acts as the principal legal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters.
What is the role of the attorney general in the federal government?
The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. In matters of exceptional gravity or importance the Attorney General appears in person before the Supreme Court.
What are the three main job duties of the US Attorney General?
Under 28 U.S.C. § 547, the role of the United States Attorney is to: (1) prosecute criminal cases brought by the federal government; (2) prosecute or defend civil cases where the United States is a party; and (3) collect debts owed to the federal government when administrative agencies are unable to do so.
Is the attorney general higher than the Supreme Court?
Attorney general offices therefore play an active role before the Supreme Court. Collectively, they are the second most active litigant before the Court, behind only the U.S. government.
Why would the attorney general investigate me?
Target letters are often issued to the subjects of a white-collar investigation. White-collar crimes encompass a wide range of fraudulent practices, including securities fraud, embezzlement, corporate fraud, healthcare fraud, mortgage fraud, and tax evasion.
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Is the attorney general above the FBI?
Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence.
Why is the attorney general so powerful?
The attorney general acts as the principal legal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters. The attorney general is also a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States and a member of the United States National Security Council.
Who can overrule a judge?
Most federal court decisions, and some state court rulings, can be challenged. The U.S. courts of appeals usually have the last word. The nation's 94 federal judicial districts are organized into 12 regional circuits, each of which has a court of appeals.
Do you need a law degree to be Attorney General?
By tradition, persons appointed to the position of Attorney-General have been lawyers. Only two former attorneys-general have not been lawyers, most recently Dr Michael Cullen who held the post in 2005, and again from 2006.
Who controls the US Attorney General?
The attorney general is the lawyer appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate to lead the Department of Justice, known as the DOJ.
Who is more powerful, US Attorney or Attorney General?
United States Attorneys serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General of the United States of America.
Does Congress have to approve the attorney general?
The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Attorney General of the United States. The Attorney General is the head of the Department of Justice.
What federal agencies are under the direction of the attorney general?
This Office supervises and directs the administration and operation of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Prisons, Office of Justice Programs, and the U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals ...
Who is the boss over a judge?
Lower courts typically answer to higher courts and the highest court (usually the supreme court), does not answer to anyone. The AG's office is a separate branch of government and would have power over judges typically.
Can you sue a judge for violating your civil rights?
In essence, absolute immunity provides these officials with freedom from lawsuits, allowing them to invoke this protection through pretrial motions. For instance, judges and judicial officers in California enjoy a broad scope of absolute immunity that remains intact, even in light of the state's tort claims act.
Who has more authority than a judge?
Supreme Court Justices
The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over other matters as conferred upon the Supreme Court by various statutes, under the authority given Congress by the Constitution. Learn more about Supreme Court justices.
Can the President remove the attorney general?
U.S. Attorneys are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Like other presidential appointees, they can be removed by the President for any reason or for no reason, as long as it is not an illegal or improper reason.
Is attorney general higher than Supreme Court?
The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. In matters of exceptional gravity or importance the Attorney General appears in person before the Supreme Court.
What mail comes from the Attorney General?
Letters from the U.S. Attorney's Office often request documents from the recipient. In civil cases, these types of letters are called “civil investigative demands,” meanwhile in criminal matters, these letters are generally accompanied by a grand jury subpoena.
Why am I getting a certified letter from an attorney?
Because a dispute over whether documents were truly received can hold up court proceedings, lawyers will often send vitally important documents as certified letters. This can include summons, complaints, final decisions, and various other legal documents.