1. Also known as the AG in a common abbreviation, this refers to the attorney who is in charge of the United States Department of Justice and who is the law officer in chief of the Federal government. The Attorney General represents the United States in its legal matters such as being in charge of federal prosecutions and its prosecutors and also assists the President and the heads of executive governmental departments on legal matters. Every state also has a state attorney general who is responsible for the same duties on a state level, such as supervising state prosecutions and its prosecutors and also advising the governor and state agency heads on governmental legal matters. 2. The person/attorney in charge of the state or federal law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney General manages all legal matters for the U.S. Department of Justice, represents the U.S. in legal matters and proceedings, manages federal prosecutions and prosecutors, advises the President of the US and other departments of government. State attorney generals advise the governor and other state governmental bodies about legal issues and also manages and supervises the state prosecutors (also known as Assistant District Attorneys.)
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
In English law. The chief law officer of the realm, being created by letters patent, whose office is to exhibit informations and prosecute for the crown in matters criminal, and to file bills in the exchequer in any matter concerning the king’s revenue. State v. Cunningham, 83 Wis. 90, 53 N. W. 35, 17 L. R. A. 145, 35 Am. St. Rep. 27. In American law. The attorney general of the United States is the head of the department of justice, appointed by the president, and a member of the cabinet. He appears in behalf of the government in all cases in the supreme court in which it is interested, and gives his legal advice to the president and heads of departments upon questions submitted to him. In each state also there is an attorney general, or similar officer, who appears for the people, as in England the attorney general appears for the crown. State v. District Court, 22 Mont. 25, 55 Pac. 916; People v. Kramer, 33 Misc. Rep. 209, 68 N. Y. Supp. 383.