Opinion ID: 1763318
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: attorney general's authority

Text: LSA-Const.1974, Art. IV, § 8 provides, in pertinent part: As necessary for the assertion or protection of any right or interest of the state, the attorney general shall have authority (1) to institute, prosecute, or intervene in any civil action or proceeding; (2) upon the written request of a district attorney, to advise and assist in the prosecution of any criminal case; and (3) for cause, when authorized by the court which would have original jurisdiction and subject to judicial review, (a) to institute, prosecute, or intervene in any criminal action or proceeding, or (b) to supersede any attorney representing the state in any civil or criminal action. The attorney general shall exercise other powers and perform other duties authorized by this constitution or by law. Morris maintains that this is a criminal prosecution which the attorney general has initiated without judicial authorization in violation of this section. The restrictions of Article IV, Section 8 must be viewed in light of the corresponding provisions of the 1921 Constitution. [2] The 1921 Constitution gave the attorney general broad powers, including the power to institute criminal prosecutions. The 1974 Constitution limited this authority to those instances where there was cause and judicial authorization. [3] Article IV, Section 8, speaks of limitations on the attorney general's power to initiate, intervene and assist in criminal prosecutions. These sections limit the attorney general's power to prosecute but not his ability to investigate. [4] The last paragraph of Article IV, Section 8, states: The attorney general shall exercise other powers and perform other duties authorized by this constitution or by law. The subpoena power of the attorney general is authorized by law in LSA-C.Cr.P. art. 66, which provides, in pertinent part, as follows: Upon written motion of the attorney general or district attorney setting forth reasonable grounds therefor, the court may order the clerk to issue subpoenas directed to the persons named in the motion, ordering them to appear at a time and place designated in the order for questioning by the attorney general or district attorney respectively, concerning any offense under investigation by him. The court may also order the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum. Article IV, Section 8 does not limit the investigatory powers of the attorney general. [5] They may be carried out as authorized by law. The activities of the attorney general in this case are properly classified as investigatory and are authorized by LSA-C. Cr.P. art. 66.