[1] The office dates back to Georgia's colonial history, with the first attorney general, William Clifton, being appointed by King George II in 1754.

In this Constitution, if the attorney for the State was not present, the justices collectively appointed a new one pro tempore for that session.

[7] It was also given the jurisdiction to handle all "matters of law relating to every department of the State other than the Judicial and Legislative branches thereof."

The department was also tasked with assisting the General Assembly with all legal matters until 1959, when the legislature established the Office of Legislative Counsel.

Paragraph II provides that, to be eligible for the office of attorney general, an individual needs to meet the following qualifications: Article V, Section III, Paragraph IV, of the Constitution of Georgia provides that "[t]he Attorney General shall act as the legal advisor of the executive department, shall represent the state in the Supreme Court in all capital felonies and in all civil and criminal cases in any court when required by the Governor, and shall perform such other duties as shall be required by law."