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…
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…
Anticorruption
The exposure and punishment of public corruption is an honor to a nation, not a disgrace. The shame lies in toleration, not in correction. . . . If we fail to do all that in us lies to stamp out corruption we can not escape our share of responsibility for the guilt. The first requisite…
Bankruptcy
Effective enforcement of the law is at the heart of what attorneys general do. However, just doing all the work to investigate, litigate, or settle a case and obtain a commitment for financial restitution isn’t all the job entails. Any defendant facing a large payment obligation or expenditure as part of a settlement will inevitably consider filing for bankruptcy in the hopes that it can relieve…
Charities
Charitable organizations hold and distribute assets for public benefit, playing a vital role in our economy and in people’s lives in general. Unfortunately, some charities lack sufficient internal controls. State statutory and common law grant attorneys general oversight authority of charitable organizations and assets, including the authority to investigate misappropriation of charitable funds, breaches of fiduciary duty by directors and officers, and fraud in charitable…
Civil Law
The attorney general holds a unique position in state government. Although in most states the attorney general does not act as the local prosecutor, the attorney general, as the chief legal officer, is in charge of all civil legal business for the state. As the chief legal officer of the state, commonwealth, or territory, the…
Consumer Protection
Attorneys general are a leading consumer protection force in the country, generally receiving their authority from state consumer protection laws giving the attorney general primary enforcement responsibility within their state or territory. Some federal statutes also give attorneys general jurisdiction to enforce federal consumer protection laws. Additional consumer protection authority is based on the common law. Attorneys general serve the public in a…
