Attorney General

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In English Law. A great officer, under the king, made by letters patent, whose file bills in the exchequer in any matter concerning the king's revenue. Others may bring bills against the kings' attorney. 3 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 27; Termes de la Ley. In American Law. In each state there is an attorney general, or similar officer, who appears for the people, as in England he appears for the crown.

A great officer, under the king, created by letters patent, whose office is to exhibit informations and prosecute for the crown in matters criminal; to file bills in the exchequer in any matter concerning the king's revenue. Others may bring bills against the king's attorney; 3 Bla. Com. 27; Termes de la Ley. He is usually addressed as "Mr. Attorney." In each state there is an attorney-general, or similar officer, who appears for the state of people, as in England the attorney-general appears for the crown. "The office is a public trust, which involves the exercise of an almost boundless discretion by an officer who ought to stand as impartial as a judge." Com. v. Burrell, 7 Pa. 39, per Gibson, C. J. president. His duties are to prosecute and conduct all suits in the supreme court in which the United States shall be concerned, and give his advice upon questions of law when required by the president, or when requested by the heads of any of the departments, touching matters that concern their departments; Act of 24th Sept. 1789. He is a member of the cabinet and under the act of congress of Jan. 19, 1SS6, U. S. Rev. Stat. 1 Supp. 4S7, is the fourth in succession, after the vice-president, to the office of president in case of a vacancy. See Department of Justice; Cabinet.

In English law. The chief law officer of the realm, being created by letters patent, whose office is to exhibit ihformations and prosecute for the crown in matters criminal, and to file bills in the exchequer in any matter concerning the king's revenue. State v. Cunningham, 83 Wis. 90, 53 N. W. 35, 17 In R. A. 145, 35 Am. St. Rep. 27.

In American law. The attorney general of the United States is the head of the department of justice, appointed by the president, and a member of the cabinet. He appears in behalf of the government in all eases in the supreme court in which it is interested, and gives his legal advice to the president and heads of departments upon questions submitted to him. In each state also there is an attorney general, or similar officer, who appears for the people, as in England the attorney general appears for the crown. State v. District Court, 22 Mont. 25, 55 Pac. 916; People v. Kramer, 33 Misc. Rep. 209, 68 N. Y. Supp. 383.

In English law. The chief law olticer of the realm, becreated by letters patent, whose office is exhibil informations and prosecute for the own in matters ecrinjinal, and to file bills in e exchequer in any nyatter concerning the King’s revenue.

In American law. The attorney general of the United States is the head of the partment of justice, appointed by the pres~ Went, and a member of the cabinet. He appears in behal? of the government in all cases in the supreme court in which it is interest- @d,and gives his legal advice tothe president and heads of departments upon questions submitted to him. In euch state aiso there is an attorney gen- étal, or similar officer, who appears for the people, as in England the attorney general ‘appears for the crown.

A law officer of state in England and the United States; the attorney of the King or Queen, {attomatus regis, or regincs;) the attorney of the government or state. In England the attorney general is appointed by letters patent, and selected from the queen's counsel He is the only legal representative of the crown in the courts, and his duties are to exhibit informations, to prosecute for the crown in criminal matters, to conduct proceedings in the exchequer in revenue causes, and generally to appear and act in all legal proceedings, and m all courts where the mterests of the crown are in question. Wltartor Cs Lex, P. Cyclopaedia. 3 BL Com. 27. 4 Burr, 2570. Tomlins, The title of attorney general is first mentioned in England in the eleventh year of Edward IV. 4 Reeves^ Hiet, Eng. Law, 122. The attorney general of the United States is appointed by the President, and his office is, (besides special and incidental duties,) to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court in which the United States are concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon questions of law, when required by the President, or the heads of the departments. Act of Congress, September 24, 1789, § 35. 1 KerU's Com. 308. Each of the states has also its attorney general, whose duties are defined by its own laws. See U, S. Digest, Attorney and Counsel, IX. Attornet General. [L. Fr. atiome general; L. Lat. attomatus generaiisJ] In old practice. A general attorney; one who was authorized to appear in all suits and causes, and in all courts; or in all suits at a particular circuit, or for a specified period of time.* Beg. Grig. 20—22. These were made either by the king's letters patent, or by appointment of the people {par constitueions de gents) before the justices in eyre. Britt. c. 126. See Id, c. 46. An attorney special, on the other hand, was one who was employed in one or more causes particularly specified, or one who belonged to a particular court. Cowell.