Attorney General of Delaware
| Delaware Attorney General | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Delaware Code, 29-25-2502 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
 | |
| Name: | Beau Biden |
| Officeholder Party: | Democratic |
| Assumed office: | January 2007 |
| Compensation: | $137,425 |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 4, 2014 |
| Last election: | November 2, 2010 |
| Other Delaware Executive Offices | |
| Governor•Lieutenant Governor•Secretary of State•Attorney General•Treasurer•Auditor•Secretary of Education•Agriculture Secretary•Insurance Commissioner•Natural Resources Secretary•Labor Secretary•Public Service Commission | |
Contents |
The attorney general is elected to a four-year term in the "off-year" state election, two years before or after the election of the governor. The office existed in various forms prior to the ratification of the constitution of 1776, which continued the colonial tradition by which the governor appointed the attorney general for a five-year tenure. With the ratification of the constitution of 1897, the attorney general became an elected office held for four year terms. It also established the attorney general as third in line of succession to the office of governor, after the Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State.
Current officeholder
The current attorney general is Joseph R. "Beau" Biden, III, a Democrat first elected in November 2006 and re-elected in 2010.
Before becoming attorney general, Biden practiced law at a private firm. From 2001 to 2002, he was interim legal advisor for the U.S. Department of Justice in Kosovo, and from 1997 to 2002 he served as a federal prosecutor in the office of the U.S. attorney for Philadelphia. His career in the U.S. Department of Justice began in 1995, when he served as counsel in the Office of Policy Development. Biden holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Syracuse University School of Law. He and his wife, Hallie, have two children.[1]
Authority
The office of attorney general is mentioned in the state constitution, but its powers are formally enumerated in statute.[2]
Delaware Code, 29-25-2502
| There is created a State Department of Justice under the supervision, direction and control of the Attorney General. |
Qualifications
There are no required qualifications for the office of attorney general.
Elections
Per Article III, Section 21 of the Delaware Constitution, attorneys general are elected every four years in federal midterm election years (e.g. 2006, 2010, 2014, etc.). Traditionally, they are sworn in on the first Tuesday in January in the year after they are elected.
Term limits
Attorneys general do not face any term limits.
Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs in the office of attorney general, the governor appoints a replacement who serves until a new officeholder can be elected. (Delaware Constitution, Article III, Section 9)
Duties
The attorney general heads Delaware's Department of Justice, which is empowered to "investigate matters involving the public peace, safety and justice," "direct the activities of state detectives," and "have charge of all criminal proceedings," in the state.[3] The attorney general also serves as chief legal counsel for the Delaware state government and offers advisory opinions to state agencies on request.
Divisions
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Fraud
- Administrative[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2012
In 2012, the attorney general was paid an estimated $143,769. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, the attorney general earned compensation in the amount of $137,425.[5] His salary is determined by law.
Campaign finance
The Attorney General of Delaware is responsible for investigating all campaign finance complaints regardless if it involves civil or criminal laws. All complaints are referred to the Attorney General from the Delaware Commissioner of Elections after the complaint is received by the Commissioner of Elections.
The Attorney General holds all prosecution and investigative powers towards campaign finance complaints. [6]
Contact information
102 W. Water Street
Dover, DE 19904
Criminal Division: 302-739-4211
Civil Division: 302-739-7641
Toll Free Phone: 302-739-1545
Fax: 302-739-7652
E-mail: Attorney.General@State.DE.US
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Office of the Delaware Attorney General, "Attorney General Biography," accessed August 8, 2011.
- ↑ Delaware Code, "29-25-2502," accessed August 8, 2011.
- ↑ Delaware Code, "29-25-2504," accessed August 9, 2011.
- ↑ Office of the Delaware Attorney General, "Divisions & Units," accessed August 9, 2011.
- ↑ 'Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed August 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Delaware Legislature" Delaware Campaign Finance Law(Referenced Section Title 15, § 8043)
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