Washington State
Published on Washington State (https://www.atg.wa.gov)

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Roles of the Office

Important Notice

State law prohibits the Attorney General, deputy attorneys general, and assistant attorneys general from engaging in the private practice of law.

This means that they cannot represent private citizens in court either to bring an action on behalf of an individual, or to defend an individual.

Any private citizen needing such representation should consult a private attorney.

If you do not know an attorney in your area, you may access the WSBA Lawyer Directory, and search by city.  Pro bono legal services for those who are low-income can also be found on WSBA's website.

What the Attorney General's Office DOES do:

  • Protects the public by upholding the Consumer Protection Act and enforcing laws against anti-competitive business practices.
  • Proposes legislation to further protect families and children and provide clear, just and enforceable laws.
  • Conducts education campaigns consistent with the policy goals of the office, including Operation: Allied Against Meth, identity theft and senior fraud prevention.
  • Pursues civil commitment of sexually violent predators to keep them out of your community until they are no longer a threat.
  • Represents the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and trial courts in all the cases involving the state’s interest and defends in court state officers or employees ethically acting in their official capacities.
  • Investigates and prosecutes persons accused of crimes at the request of the Governor or a county prosecutor.
  • Advises the Governor, members of the Legislature, other state officers, and county prosecutors on legal issues.
  • Gives formal written attorney general’s opinions on constitutional or legal questions at the request of designated public officials.
  •  Represents the public interest in utility matters and energy facility siting.

 

What the Attorney General’s Office DOES NOT do:

  • The Attorney General’s Office is not authorized to provide advice to private citizens on personal legal matters. While the office may answer questions of a general nature, most private issues require a detailed analysis of the law, and such services are outside the scope of the office’s authority.
  • The Attorney General’s Office is not responsible for representing city, county, or other local units of government.
  • The Attorney General’s Office does not launch criminal investigations without a request from a county prosecutor or the Governor.