Monte Seibert, age 16 of El Paso, Texas, for his question:

WHAT DOES THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL DO?

The United States attorney general is the chief law officer of the government. It is his job to advise and represent the government in important legal matters and to initiate and supervise legal proceedings that affect the welfare of the nation.

The post of U.S. attorney general was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. He is appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate and serves on the Cabinet.

Among the attorney general's duties is administration of the Department of Justice. He is also responsible for the presentation of cases in the courts on behalf of the government, the prosecution of criminal cases involving the government, the direction of the system of federal penitentiaries and the supervision of special matters involving national defense.

The attorney general also provides legal advice to the President and the heads of executive departments.

Each of the states has an official with duties similar to those of the U.S. attorney general. In some, the state official is appointed by the governor and in others the official is popularly elected.