Powers and duties of Oklahoma's attorney general

The office was created by the Oklahoma Constitution and the position is up for election every four years, during the same years the governor stands for election.

The state constitution initially placed no limits on the number of terms an individual could serve as attorney general, but was amended by a vote of the people in 2010 to limit the attorney general and other statewide elected officials to no more than two terms, that need not be consecutive.

Among the key responsibilities of Scott Pruitt and the 80 attorneys in his agency are:

• Provide legal counsel and representation for state agencies, boards, commissions and employees.

• Represent Oklahoma consumers in utility rate cases and legal actions.

• Represent the interests of the state's natural resources and state crime victims.

• Represent the state in the criminal appeals process in an effort to make sure decisions rendered by judges and juries are upheld by appellate courts.