Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Attorney General of New York

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Style
  
The Honorable

Formation
  
1626

Term length
  
four years no limit

First holder
  
Egbert Benson

Attorney General of New York

Constituting instrument
  
New York Constitution, Executive Law

Succession
  
Election by joint session of state legislature

The Attorney General of New York is the chief legal officer of the State of New York and head of the New York state government's Department of Law. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.

Contents

The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman. He was elected on November 2, 2010 and took office on January 1, 2011. He won reelection in 2014.

Functions

The Attorney General advises the executive branch of state government and defends actions and proceedings on behalf of the state. The Attorney General acts independently of the Governor of New York. The department's regulations are compiled in title 13 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR).

Organization

The legal functions of the Department of Law are divided primarily into five major divisions: Appeals and Opinions, State Counsel, Criminal Justice, Economic Justice and Social Justice.

Chief Deputy Attorney General

  • Harlan Levy, (2011–2015)

    • Solicitor General

  • O. Peter Sherwood (1986–1991)
  • Jerry Boone (1991–1994)
  • Victoria A. Graffeo (1995–1996)
  • Barbara Gott Billet (1996–1998)
  • Preeta D. Bansal (1999–2001)
  • Caitlin Halligan (2001–2007)
  • Barbara D. Underwood (2007–)

    • Terms of office

  • From 1684 to 1777, when New York was under the British colonial government, the Attorney General was appointed by the British crown, or the colonial governor on its behalf. In 1693, the Attorney General earned a salary of 50 pounds.
  • From 1777 to 1822, the Attorney General was appointed by the Council of Appointment.
  • From 1823 to 1846, the Attorney General was elected by the New York State Legislature for a three-year term..
  • Attorneys General have been elected by the voters since 1847.

    • References

    Attorney General of New York Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA