Massachusetts Attorney General facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
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| Government of Massachusetts | |
| Style | The Honorable |
| Residence | None official |
| Seat | One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Nominator | Nominating petition, Political parties |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | 4 years, no limit |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Massachusetts |
| Formation | 1702 |
| First holder | Paul Dudley |
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The Massachusetts Attorney General is an important elected official in Massachusetts. This person is the main lawyer and law enforcement officer for the state. They work to protect people in many ways. This includes helping with consumer protection, fighting against fraud, protecting everyone's civil rights, and making sure businesses compete fairly. The current Attorney General is Andrea Campbell.
Contents
Who Can Be Attorney General?
To become the Attorney General of Massachusetts, a person must meet certain requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a registered voter in Massachusetts.
- Have lived in Massachusetts for at least five years before being elected.
- Collect 10,000 signatures from registered voters on special forms.
- Be a lawyer who can practice law in Massachusetts.
History of the Office
The job of Attorney General in Massachusetts has changed over time. When the state's first constitution was created in 1780, the governor chose the Attorney General. This choice also needed approval from the Governor's Council.
The office was actually removed in 1843 but brought back in 1849. In 1855, a change was made to the constitution. After this, the people of Massachusetts began to elect the Attorney General themselves.
The length of time an Attorney General serves has usually been the same as the governor's term. Elections for this role happen at the same time as other important state elections. At first, elections were held every year. Then, in 1920, they became every two years. Finally, in 1966, they changed to every four years.
How the Office Works
The Office of the Attorney General is organized into different groups called bureaus. These bureaus help the Attorney General do their job effectively. Each bureau focuses on specific areas, but they all work together.
The main goal is to protect the public. For example, there are bureaus that handle energy and environmental issues, criminal cases, and government matters. Other bureaus focus on health care, fair business competition, and protecting the public.
Meet the Attorneys General
The role of Attorney General has been filled by many different people throughout history. The office was first created in 1702 during the time of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The first person to hold this important job was Paul Dudley.
After Massachusetts became a Commonwealth in 1780, the office was reestablished. Since then, many dedicated individuals have served as the state's chief lawyer. The current Attorney General is Andrea Campbell, who took office in 2023.
Images for kids
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The official Seal of Massachusetts.
