United States Attorney General

The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The current Attorney General is Alberto Gonzales. The Attorney General is America's highest ranking law enforcement officer and is considered "America's lawyer".

Related Topics:
United States Department of Justice - United States government - Alberto Gonzales

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The office of Attorney General was established by Congress in 1789. The original duties of this officer were "to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court in which the United States shall be concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon questions of law when required by the President of the United States, or when requested by the heads of any of the departments." (Judiciary Act of 1789, section 35.) Only in 1870 was the Department of Justice established to support the Attorney General in the discharge of his responsibilities.

Related Topics:
Attorney General - Congress - 1789 - Supreme Court - United States - President of the United States - Judiciary Act of 1789 - 1870

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The members of the Department of Justice represent the United States in legal matters generally and offer advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. The Attorney General appears in person to represent the Government before the Supreme Court in cases of exceptional importance. Under most circumstances the United States Solicitor General argues before the Supreme Court on the government's behalf.

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The Attorney General is a member of the President's Cabinet, the only member who is not given the title Secretary.

Related Topics:
President's - Cabinet - Secretary

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