Attorney General for the District of Columbia
| Attorney General of the District of Columbia | |
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Seal of the Office of the Attorney General | |
since January 2, 2023 | |
| Term length | Four years, renewable |
| Inaugural holder | Richard Wallach |
| Formation | 1973 |
| Website | Office of the Attorney General |
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The Attorney General for the District of Columbia is the chief legal officer of the District of Columbia. The position has been elected by popular vote of D.C. residents since 2015. The current attorney general is Brian Schwalb, who has served since January 2, 2023.
Due to D.C.'s unique status as a federal enclave and not part of a state, the attorney general's position is unique, and shares some similarities with other states' attorneys general, some with local prosecutors and some with municipal legal departments.
The attorney general enforces many of the district's laws, provides advice and counsel the local government and departments, and assists consumers and others in the district. He is responsible for prosecuting juvenile criminal law and some misdemeanor crimes for adults, but adult felonies and other prosecutions are handled by the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, a federal Department of Justice official who is appointed by and reports to the president.