Legal Definitions - state officer

A state officer is an individual who holds an official position within a state government, deriving their authority and responsibilities from the state's constitution or laws. These individuals are entrusted with specific governmental duties and powers, acting on behalf of the state to serve the public.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a state officer:

• Example 1: The State's Attorney General

  Imagine a state's Attorney General, who is typically an elected official responsible for serving as the chief legal officer of the state. Their duties include prosecuting criminal appeals, representing the state in legal matters, and providing legal advice to state agencies. This individual is a state officer because they hold a constitutionally or statutorily defined position within the state government, exercise significant legal authority on behalf of the state, and are accountable to the public and the state's laws.

• Example 2: A Commissioner of a State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

  Consider the Commissioner appointed to lead a state's Department of Motor Vehicles. This person is responsible for overseeing the issuance of driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, and enforcing state traffic laws. They manage a large state agency and implement regulations that affect all drivers within the state. This individual is a state officer because they are appointed to a high-level position within a state executive branch agency, exercise delegated governmental powers, and are responsible for administering state laws and services.

• Example 3: A State Supreme Court Justice

  Think of a Justice serving on a state's highest court, such as the State Supreme Court. These justices are often appointed or elected and are responsible for interpreting state laws and the state constitution, hearing appeals from lower courts, and setting legal precedents for the entire state judiciary. A State Supreme Court Justice is a state officer because they occupy a constitutionally established position within the state's judicial branch, wield significant governmental authority in interpreting and applying state law, and their decisions have a binding effect across the state.