Cyber and Technology
Through civil and criminal investigative and enforcement authority, advocacy, and outreach to the public, America’s attorneys general are working individually and collaboratively to address the numerous and complicated issues that cyberspace and emerging technologies pose to individuals and society at-large. Areas of Interest Attorneys General have criminal and civil jurisdiction in several areas related to cyber and emerging technologies. The articles below explore just a few of the many areas of…
Powers and Duties
In most states, an attorney general’s power and authority come from the common law (custom and judicial precedent) rather than statutes. Under common law precedent, attorneys general have the authority to represent, defend, and enforce the legal interests of both the state itself and of the public. The jurisdiction’s constitution and statutes also establish the…
Veterans and Military
Active military personnel, their families, and veterans are unfortunately often targeted by scam artists and unscrupulous businesses who try to take advantage of the military consumers. Servicemembers are targeted for many reasons including their stable income, inexperience in financial matters, and the desire to solve their own problems, some out of fear that the problems may jeopardize their security clearance and careers. …
Tobacco
Tobacco emerged as an attorney general issue in the 1990s, when several attorneys general filed lawsuits seeking reimbursement from tobacco companies for money spent treating illnesses caused by smoking. In 1998, they reached a historic agreement with those tobacco companies, resulting in the largest settlement in U.S. history, the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Learn more…
Elder Justice
Attorneys general play a significant role in keeping the most vulnerable members of our society safe, including older adults who are often targeted by scammers and other bad actors. Scams and Fraud Individuals over the age of 60 are often targeted by scammers as older adults tend to have more accumulated wealth, are more likely to live alone, and may have medical conditions that make them…
The U.S. Supreme Court
United States Supreme Court decisions directly affect attorney general offices’ ability to enforce state laws and defend government officials’ conduct. 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. Two issues relevant to many cases brought before the Court by…
Public Health
CEA Winslow, founder of the Yale School of Public Health, defined public health as “The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private communities, and individuals.” Attorneys general use their positions to address public health challenges in several ways….
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking, commonly referred to as modern day slavery, trafficking in persons, or trafficking in human beings, is perpetrated when one individual is exploited by another in myriad ways, most often by being forced or coerced to perform acts of sex or labor. The most common and major forms of human trafficking are sex trafficking,…
Ethics
The public expects and deserves the highest level of professional conduct from the government lawyers who represent their interests. Government attorneys are subject to professional rules that govern all attorneys, as well as constitutional, statutory, and regulatory requirements that protect the public’s trust. Government attorneys are, like all lawyers, required to follow the rules of…
Antitrust
The National Association of Attorneys General was founded in 1907 initially to create a forum for state attorneys general to discuss a common approach to antitrust issues related to the Standard Oil Company. Since then, antitrust efforts have consistently been a core aspect of the attorney general’s role. Antitrust laws are based on the proposition…
