Virginia. Office of the Attorney General

The Office of the Attorney General originated in medieval England. While representing the king in his courts, the Attorney General gradually assumed the role of legal advisor to the government and all its agencies. In Virginia, the first Attorney General was commissioned in 1643. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 ended the Attorney General's connection with royal authority, but the state constitution adopted that year continued the office under the auspices of the General Assembly. The constitution adopted in 1851 provided for the popular election of the Attorney General, rendering him independent of all three branches of government. The Attorney General is elected to a four-year term in office and is eligible for reelection.

The Office of the Attorney General originated in medieval England. While representing the king in his courts, the attorney general gradually assumed the role of legal advisor to the government and all its agencies. In Virginia the first attorney general was commissioned in 1643. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 ended the attorney general's connection with royal authority, but the state constitution adopted that year continued the office under the auspices of the General Assembly.

The constitution adopted in 1851 provided for the popular election of the attorney general, rendering him independent of all three branches of government. On April 27, 1927, the General Assembly passed a state government reorganization act that created the Department of Law in the executive branch and designated the attorney general as its head. After the office of prohibition was abolished in 1922, the attorney general office assumed the responsibility of enforcing prohibition. When prohibition ended in 1934 the Alcohol Beverage Control Board established by the General Assembly governed the distrubution and sales of alcohol. The Dept. of Law was also responsible for motion picture censorship for almost forty years until the General Assembly passed an act in 1966 abolishing the division of motion picture censorship. Currently, the deparment contains the Division of Debt Collections, Finance and Transportation, and Human and Natural Resources, Judicial Affairs, Public Safety and Economic Development, and Administration.

The Office of the Attorney General originated in medieval England. While representing the king in his courts, the Attorney General gradually assumed the role of legal advisor to the government and all its agencies. In Virginia, the first Attorney General was commissioned in 1643. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 ended the Attorney General's connection with royal authority, but the state constitution adopted that year continued the office under the auspices of the General Assembly. The constitution adopted in 1851 provided for the popular election of the Attorney General, rendering him independent of all three branches of government. The Attorney General is elected to a four-year term in office and is eligible for reelection.

On April 27, 1927, the General Assembly passed a state government reorganization act that created the Department of Law, with the Attorney General serving as the chief executive officer. The Office represents the interests of the Commonwealth in civil cases in which the Commonwealth or any of its agencies or officials is named as a party, and in criminal cases on appeal to the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia. In cases involving federal law, the Attorney General also represents the Commonwealth's interests. The Office also defends the constitutionality of state laws when they are challenged in court, represents consumers in utility matters before the State Corporation Commission, and collects debts owed to state agencies, hospitals and universities. Additionally, the Attorney General serves as the legal advisor to the Governor and more than 200 state agencies, boards, commissions and institutions. He renders official opinions upon the written request of the Governor, members of the General Assembly, members of the judiciary, state officials, and local constitutional officers.