NCJ Number
41088
Date Published
1975
Length
52 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE ROLE THAT CERTAIN ATTORNEYS GENERAL'S OFFICES HAVE ASSUMED AS INTERVENORS BEFORE STATE REGULATORY BODIES ON BEHALF OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC INTEREST.
Abstract
THE NATURE OF REGULATORY BODIES AND THE SOURCES OF THE INTERVENTION POWER ARE REVIEWED. THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL'S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR REPRESENTATION OF REGULATORY COMMISSIONS ARE ALSO NOTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THEIR ASSUMING THE ADVOCACY OF THE CONSUMING PUBLIC'S INTERESTS. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF INTERESTS ADVOCATED BY INTERVENING ATTORNEYS GENERAL ARE OUTLINED. THE DIFFICULTIES OF DEFINING AND REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST ARE DISCUSSED THROUGHOUT, INCLUDING SOME OF THE REASONS INTERVENTION MAY BE DESIRABLE AND WHY ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH REPRESENTATION MAY BE INAPPROPRIATE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE INTERVENTION POWER DOES EXIST AND MAY BE UTILIZED BY THE STATE'S CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, IF, IN HIS OPINION, THE ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION OF THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST BEFORE REGULATORY BOARDS DEMANDS SUCH ACTION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...ELW