Also known as: Attorneys General of the United States · U.S. Attorney General · US Attorney General · Attorney General
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An officer appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate who heads the Department of Justice and directs the conduct of litigation in which the United States is a party.
A federal agency faced a contract dispute with a private contractor. The attorney general directed Department of Justice attorneys to assume conduct of the litigation. The court recognized the attorney general's statutory authority over the matter.
State education officials maintained separate facilities for students based on race. The attorney general participated in the federal litigation seeking to end the practice. The court invited the attorney general to submit arguments on the appropriate remedy.
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President Adams signed commissions for several justices of the peace but left them undelivered. The attorney general's predecessor represented the applicants seeking mandamus to compel delivery. The court addressed whether the attorney general's prior role affected the proceeding.
Federal officials implemented a policy of detaining individuals suspected of terrorist ties. The attorney general was named as a defendant in the resulting civil action. The court evaluated whether the complaint sufficiently alleged the attorney general's personal involvement.
Same-sex couples challenged state laws limiting marriage to opposite-sex pairs. The attorney general defended the statutes in federal court. The court considered the attorney general's arguments on equal protection and due process claims.
A newspaper prepared to publish classified government documents. The attorney general sought an injunction to prevent release. The court weighed the attorney general's national security claims against First Amendment protections.
The President appoints the Attorney General by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The appointee then serves as head of the Department of Justice.
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The Attorney General directs the conduct of litigation in which the United States is a party or interested. This authority is exercised through officers of the Department of Justice.
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Yes. A party questioning the constitutionality of a federal statute must serve notice on the Attorney General of the United States by certified or registered mail.
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…term, 1801, William Marbury, Dennis Ramsay, Robert Townsend Hooe, and William Harper, by their counsel Charles Lee, late Attorney General of the United States, severally moved the court for a rule to James Madison, Secretary of State of the United States, to show cause why a mandamus should not issue commanding him to cause to be delivered to…