What Does the Attorney General Do in Virginia? Unveiling Their Role
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Within the next three weeks, residents of Virginia will cast their votes to choose the Democratic candidate for attorney general.
Do you happen to be aware of the responsibilities of the attorney general in Virginia?
"Officeholders frequently emphasize the notion of serving as a leading law enforcement officer, portraying themselves as primarily accountable for security and fighting crime within the state; however, this assertion isn’t accurate," said Richard Meagher, a political science professor at Randolph-Macon College, to 8News.
Meagher states that it is accurate for the attorney general to investigate and prosecute certain offenses.
"So, rather than typical crimes such as murder or theft, we're talking about issues like cybercrime or child pornography. These are domains where the attorney general takes significant interest in pursuing prosecutions and conducting investigations," explained Meagher.
Meagher also mentions that much of their work is conducted on the civilian front.
"If anyone files a lawsuit against the governor or the commonwealth, then the attorney general takes charge of representing the commonwealth or defending those constitutional officers in court," Meagher clarified.
Meagher further noted that the role of the attorney general includes drafting significant legal interpretations regarding the application of state statutes and has the authority to contest actions taken by the federal government, such as laws or policies.
"If you believe that Virginia’s stance should lean towards progressiveness or conservatism, the attorney general has the role of representing Virginia in numerous legal contexts, and this representation can carry partisan and ideological nuances," Meagher stated to 8News.
The absence of a Republican primary for attorney general is due to the fact that incumbent Jason Miyares is the sole Republican candidate running for the position.
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