The Dept. of Legal Affairs was created in 1969 (Ch. 69-106, Laws) to perform the powers, duties and functions of the office of the Attorney General. The Attorney General heads the department and is the chief State legal officer (Chapter 16, Florida Statutes). The Attorney General renders legal opinions on request to government agencies. The Department provides all legal services required by any department, unless otherwise provided by law. It defends the state on appeals from criminal convictions through state and federal courts. The Attorney General appears on behalf of the state in all suits in the District Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court in which the state has an interest. The Department provides assistance to local law enforcement agencies in major felony cases and maintains regional offices throughout the state to aid in these services.
From the description of Attorney General Jim Smith correspondence, 1985. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414090
