Main Content

The Role of the State Attorney General-Harvard Law School-Spring 2026

Introduction

This week the first half of class will consider criminal justice reform and police misconduct, and the second half of class will consider the AG’s role in enforcing labor laws. 

As the state’s chief law enforcement officer, AGs frequently are involved in criminal justice efforts, as a matter of legislative action, prosecutorial discretion, or defending the state. Likewise, as states grapple with the issue of police misconduct, many of the proposed solutions involve the AG.

In recent years, AGs have increasingly been involved in enforcing state labor laws, including minimum wage laws and prohibiting no-poach agreements.