Utah Attorney General facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Utah Attorney General
Incumbent Sean Reyes since 2013
Term length	Four years
Website	https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov

The Attorney General of Utah is an important leader in the state government. Think of them as Utah's top lawyer! They are chosen by people voting in an election and serve for four years. Their main job is to be the chief legal officer and give legal advice to the state of Utah. This means they help make sure Utah's laws are followed and that the state government acts legally.

What Does Utah's Attorney General Do?

The Attorney General has many important jobs. They are like the head lawyer for the entire state.

Protecting Utah's People

One of their biggest roles is to protect the people of Utah. This includes:

• Fighting against things like fraud and scams that try to trick people.
• Working to keep communities safe.
• Making sure that consumer rights are protected.

Giving Legal Advice

The Attorney General also gives legal advice to the Governor, state agencies, and other parts of the Utah government. If a state department has a question about what the law says, they can ask the Attorney General's office for help. This ensures that all parts of the government follow the rules.

Representing the State

When the state of Utah needs to go to court, the Attorney General's office represents them. This could be in cases where the state is suing someone or when the state is being sued. They work to defend Utah's interests in legal battles.

History of Utah's Top Lawyer

The role of a chief legal officer in Utah has been around for a long time, even before Utah became a state.

Early Legal Leaders

Back in 1849, when Utah was known as the State of Deseret, there was a legal leader named Daniel H. Wells. Later, during the time of the Utah Territory (from 1850 to 1874), other people served in similar roles, like Hosea Stout and Zerubbabel Snow.

Utah State Attorneys General

Once Utah officially became a state in 1896, the position of Attorney General became an elected office. Many different people have served in this important role over the years. They have come from different political parties, including the Republican and Democratic parties.

• First State Attorney General: The very first Attorney General for the State of Utah was A. C. Bishop, who served from 1896 to 1901.
• Recent Attorneys General: In more recent times, people like Vernon B. Romney and Mark Shurtleff have held the position.
• Current Attorney General: The current Attorney General of Utah is Sean Reyes, who has been serving since 2013.

Images for kids

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  Vernon B. Romney served as Attorney General from 1969 to 1977.

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  Mark Shurtleff was Attorney General from 2001 to 2013.