What Is the Role of Virginia's Attorney General?
Richmond, VA (WRIC) — Within the next three weeks, residents of Virginia will head to the polls to select the Democratic nominee for attorney general.
Do you happen to be aware of the responsibilities of the attorney general in Virginia?
"Current officeholders frequently emphasize the notion of serving as a leading law enforcement official, positioning themselves as primarily accountable for security and fighting crime within the state; however, that assertion isn’t entirely accurate," said Richard Meagher, a political science professor at Randolph-Macon College, during an interview with 8News.
Meagher states that indeed, the attorney general investigates and prosecutes certain offenses.
"So not typical crimes such as murder or robbery, but rather issues like cybercrime or child pornography—these are sectors, almost portfolios, that the attorney general is deeply engaged in attempting to prosecute and investigate," Meagher stated.
Meagher also notes that much of their work takes place on the civil side.
"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 stated that the role of the attorney general includes drafting significant legal opinions on the interpretation of state statutes and has the authority to contest legislation or policies implemented by the federal government.
"If you believe that Virginia’s stance should lean towards progressiveness or remain more conservative, it's important to know that the attorney general represents Virginia in numerous legal contexts, and this representation can carry partisan and ideological tones," Meagher explained 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 for the position.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content must not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.To get the most recent updates on news, weather, sports, and live videos, visit WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.