A deputy attorney general is a government official who works in the justice or legal departments. In terms of department authority, the deputy attorney general is second only to the attorney general. A deputy attorney general’s responsibilities include providing legal advice to government officials, representing the government in court, and assisting the attorney general. When the attorney general is out of the country, the deputy attorney general is in charge of his or her affairs.
Before making policy decisions, government officials consult with the attorney general or his deputy to ensure that government actions do not violate established laws. The deputy attorney provides advice on legal issues affecting the state and collaborates with other attorneys to identify potential roadblocks to policy changes. On issues such as criminal law enforcement, educational reforms, zoning laws, and citizens’ rights, legal counsel may be sought.
In court, deputy attorney generals frequently represent the government. Before a trial, the deputy attorney general must consult with the attorney general to determine whether the government has sufficient legal grounds to proceed. The deputy attorney general collects relevant information and assembles a team of assistant attorneys to prepare the case. The deputy attorney’s responsibilities also include locating and interviewing witnesses, as well as participating in jury selection to ensure a jury hostile to the government’s interests.
In many justice departments, the deputy attorney general is responsible for handling disciplinary issues involving other government-employed attorneys. The deputy attorney’s job is to look into allegations of malpractice and, if necessary, file charges against the person in question. The deputy attorney general assembles teams of lawyers to handle legal matters on behalf of the government, and as a result, the deputy attorney general has the authority to promote junior attorneys to higher ranks within the justice department.
Attorneys general are frequently questioned the media when dealing with high-profile cases. Daily briefings are held presidents, governors, and other powerful politicians, and the attorney general is expected to attend. In the absence of an attorney general, the deputy attorney general will be expected to attend these meetings, answer media questions, and handle major cases. Attorneys in this position are usually well positioned to permanently assume the attorney general’s role when it becomes available because they have assumed the attorney general’s role on a few occasions.