Texas Office of the Attorney General
Texas Attorney General’s Office
The Office of Texas Attorney General was first established by executive ordinance in 1836. The attorneys general of the Republic of Texas were presidential appointees by act of the First Congress, October 6, 1836. The practice of executive appointment continued during the first years of statehood, but in 1850 the office became elective. In the Constitution of 1876, the attorney general is one of seven officers constituting the executive department of Texas state government.
As the chief legal officer of the state of Texas, the attorney general is charged by the Texas Constitution to defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, represent the State in litigation, and approve public bond issues. To fulfill these responsibilities, the Office of the Attorney General serves as legal counsel to all boards and agencies of state government; issues legal opinions when requested by the governor, heads of state agencies, and other officials and agencies as provided by Texas statutes; sits as an ex-officio member of state committees and commissions; and defends challenges to state laws and suits against both state agencies and individual employees of the State.
Attorney General Crawford C. Martin audiotape | Open record letter rulings
Texas Attorney-General’s Office: Attorney General Crawford C. Martin audiotape, 1969
Creator: Texas. Attorney-General’s Office
Title: Attorney General Crawford C. Martin audiotape
Dates: 1969
Abstract: As the chief legal officer of the state of Texas, the attorney general is charged by the Texas Constitution to defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, represent the State in litigation, and approve public bond issues. Crawford Martin served as attorney general of Texas from 1967 to 1972. He filed successful litigation against commercial drug manufacturers for price-fixing of antibiotics and encouraged Texas consumers to file claims for a refund from money awarded in the suit. This 1969 recording informs Texas consumers how to file for the refund.
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Texas Attorney-General’s Office: Open Records Letter Rulings, 1997-2003, 2007-2008
Creator: Texas. Attorney-General’s Office
Title: Texas Attorney General’s Office open records letter rulings
Dates: 1997-2003, 2007-2008
Abstract: The attorney general is the lawyer for the people of Texas and is charged by the Texas Constitution to defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, represent the state in litigation, and approve public bond issues. Open records letter rulings are informal rulings in response to a request by a member of the public to a government entity; they are based on established law and practice under the Texas Public Information Act. These rulings are issued by the Open Records Division (ORD) of the Texas Office of the Attorney General and make up the bulk of the ORD’s workload. Records consist of informal letter rulings based on established law and practice and are signed by assistant attorneys general in the Open Records Division, dating 1997-2003, and 2007-2008.
