Puerto Rico Department of Justice
Encyclopedia
The Puerto Rico Department of Justice, headed by the Attorney General
, has been in existence, in one form or another since Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony. The current agency was created by the Constitution of Puerto Rico
in 1952.
The Department, headquartered in a multi-story building in the Miramar sector of San Juan
, includes a structure of District Attorneys to handle criminal caseload, as well as specialized divisions to handle antitrust cases, general civil cases, public integrity (corruption) and federal litigation, among others.
The Department's head, the Attorney General
, is appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico
, and serves at his pleasure, after receiving the consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico
. Puerto Rico's Solicitor General, which handles appellate work, is also appointed by the Governor and subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
, has been in existence, in one form or another since Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony. The current agency was created by the Constitution of Puerto Rico
Constitution of Puerto Rico
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the controlling government document of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is composed of nine articles detailing the structure of the government as well as the function of several of its institutions. The document also contains an extensive...
in 1952.
The Department, headquartered in a multi-story building in the Miramar sector of San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, includes a structure of District Attorneys to handle criminal caseload, as well as specialized divisions to handle antitrust cases, general civil cases, public integrity (corruption) and federal litigation, among others.
The Department's head, the Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
, is appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
, and serves at his pleasure, after receiving the consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
. Puerto Rico's Solicitor General, which handles appellate work, is also appointed by the Governor and subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.