Attorneys general serve as the nation’s top law enforcement officials, prosecuting federal cases while offering legal advice to the president and cabinet department leaders. Additionally, they enforce state laws and safeguard vulnerable residents.
New York’s attorney general is an effective force of change. From taking on predatory lenders and supporting pregnant women’s rights, to banning salary history questions on job applications, New York’s AG is an advocate for positive change.
Letitia “Tish” James
She has taken on predatory lenders who preyed upon first-time homebuyers and polluters who disobeyed environmental protection laws. She went all the way to the Supreme Court in an effort to block citizenship questions from being included in Census forms and protect DACA recipients.
James graduated from Lehman College and Howard University and began her legal career with Legal Aid Society before serving on City Council, where she successfully negotiated legislation to expand daycare resources for working families.
James ran an independent campaign against incumbent Attorney General Zephyr Teachout in 2018, winning her position against Andrew Cuomo by defeat. Her decision to confront her political patron over the nursing-home report indicates her intent to continue her probe of Trump and his businesses with unwavering zeal; whether or not that includes calling him as a witness remains unknown.
The People’s Lawyer
Attorney general offices provide civil rights enforcement that protect residents against discrimination based on race, gender or sexual orientation. Their hotlines and online complaint forms help thousands of customers each year recover money that violate state laws from businesses who transgress them.
Under the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, an attorney general is nominated by the president of the United States and approved by the Senate. Their duties include providing advice to their boss on who to nominate for federal judicial positions and Department of Justice roles as well as issuing certificates legalizing that certain facts affecting national security may not be revealed during legal proceedings.
Attorney generals also represent their state in cases relating to the Constitution, statutes and policies of the United States. Some examples include attorneys general who have filed suits against President Donald Trump’s post office changes as well as those who submit amici briefs in federal cases that affect residents from their state.
The State’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer
Attorney general offices provide much more than legal support to state government and its departments; they prosecute criminal cases, advocate for economic and social justice and conserve natural resources as well as provide legal counsel to governors, defend actions brought against the state by outside parties and represent it in court proceedings.
Attorneys general serve to uphold federal and local laws, investigate and prosecute crimes such as child abuse, cybercrime, drug smuggling and public corruption, collaborate closely with their state legislatures in creating new legislation or testifying before legislative committees, as well as provide hotlines or online complaint forms that allow residents to report companies that breach consumer protection laws.
Chief Inspector Chell began his NYPD career in 1994, quickly rising through the ranks to become a Sergeant, Senior Investigator, Lieutenant, Captain, Major Staff Inspector and then Deputy Superintendent before being chosen as Commanding Officer of one of New York City’s busiest precincts. Known for his strong commitment to fighting crime while working closely with community members.
The People’s Advocate
Jumaane Williams was elected New York’s Public Advocate in 2019 from Brooklyn City Council membership and since that time has been passing more legislation than any previous Public Advocate and standing up for marginalized communities. In his first term as Public Advocate he battled back against NYPD use of stop, question and frisk and helped found New York City’s Office of Police Accountability.
Other statutory duties of an Attorney General include providing advice to the President regarding appointments of federal officials such as judges and prosecutors, issuing certifications stating certain facts (e.g. those which could compromise national security) cannot be challenged in court proceedings and representing the United States against lawsuits filed by other countries or individuals.
Daniel Sheehan provides the untold “real story” behind some of America’s most celebrated legal battles–from Pentagon Papers, Watergate and Iran/Contra–told by one of America’s fearless lawyers. Daniel Sheehan has battled some of history’s most contentious cases related to organized crime, terrorism and drugs – all with which Daniel has had experience as a constitutional attorney.