Assistant attorneys general provide legal advice, represent the government in legal proceedings, and assist the attorney general. They also handle disciplinary matters and promote junior attorneys. Deputy attorneys general represent the government in court cases and attend meetings in the absence of the attorney general.
An assistant attorney general serves in the department of justice or the legal department of a government agency. The Deputy Attorney General is second only to the Attorney General in terms of departmental authority. The general duties of an assistant attorney general include providing legal advice to government officials, representing the government in legal proceedings, and assisting the attorney general. When the attorney general is absent, the deputy attorney general shall handle the attorney general’s business.
Government officials consult with the attorney general or deputy before making policy decisions to ensure that government actions do not violate established laws. The assistant attorney provides opinions on legal issues pertinent to the state and collaborates with other attorneys to determine obstacles that may be encountered by policy changes. Legal advice can be sought on issues such as criminal law enforcement, educational reforms, zoning laws and citizens’ rights.
Deputy attorneys general usually represent the government in court cases. Prior to trial, the deputy attorney general must work with the attorney general to determine whether the government has sufficient grounds to mount legal proceedings. The assistant attorney general gathers information related to the matter and assembles a team of assistant attorneys to prepare the case. Finding and interviewing witnesses, as well as participating in jury selection to ensure that the jury is hostile to the government’s interests, are also some of the deputy attorney’s responsibilities.
Many departments of justice require the assistant attorney general to handle disciplinary matters relating to other government-employed attorneys. The Assistant Prosecutor must investigate cases of alleged negligence and, where necessary, bring charges against the individual in question. Teams of attorneys are assembled by the Deputy Attorney General to address legal matters on behalf of the government, and accordingly, the Deputy Attorney General has the authority to promote junior attorneys to higher positions in the Department of Justice.
Attorneys General have to handle high-profile cases, and in doing so, they often respond to media inquiries. Presidents, governors, and other politicians in positions of power often hold daily meetings that the attorney general must attend. In the absence of an attorney general, the deputy attorney general must attend these meetings, field questions from the media, and address major cases. Assuming the role of attorney general on certain occasions means that lawyers in this position are generally well positioned to permanently assume the role of attorney general when available.
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