Maryland. Attorney general.

First established by the Maryland Constitution of 1776, the attorney general was appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the Council, to an indefinite term. The duties of the office were not specified.

In 1817, a constitutional amendment (Laws of 1816, ch. 247) abolished the office. In 1818, however, the General Asembly reestablished the office by statute (Laws of 1817, ch. 146). Then, the governor appointed the attorney general to "prosecute and defend, on the part of the state, all cases [then] pending, or which may [thereafter] be brought in, or removed to, [state and federal courts] ... in the same manner that the Attorney General heretofore was accustomed to do."

The Constitution of 1851 abolished the office again, and replaced it with state's attorneys for each county and Baltimore City (Art. 5). The state's attorneys were elected to four-year terms by voters within their districts. State's attorneys, moreover, were authorized to "perform such duties and receive such fees as [were formerly] prescribed by law for the Attorney General."

The Constitution of 1864 abolished the state's attorneys and reestablished the attorney general (Art. 5). State's attorneys were reinstituted in the Constitution of 1867 (Art. 5, sec. 7).

Elected by the voters of Maryland to a four-year term, the attorney general serves as legal counsel to the governor, General Assembly, Judiciary, and most departments, boards, and commissions of the state. The attorney general represents Maryland in all matters in which the interests of the state are involved. The office is responsible for enforcement of laws pertaining to securities, consumer protection, antitrust activities, and medical fraud. The attorney general may render an opinion on any legal subject or matter upon the request of the governor, General Assembly (or either house thereof), or any department or agency of the state. Moreover, administrative rules and regulations promulgated by any state officer or agency must be submitted to the attorney general for review before they may become effective.

As part of the "Ober Law" in 1949, the attorney general appointed a special assistant to coordinate anti-subversive activities within Maryland (Laws of 1949, ch. 86, sec. 6). Working with state and county officials, the special attorney general collected information and maintained records on suspected subversives. In addition, the office monitored loyalty oaths taken by teachers and professors of Maryland schools, colleges, and universities.

From the description of Agency history record, 1776-. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122556739