Wash. Rev. Code » Title 43 · Chapter 43.10
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 43.10.030 (2026)

General powers and duties

✓ current as of May 2026
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The attorney general shall:
(1) Appear for and represent the state before the supreme court or the court of appeals in all cases in which the state is interested;
(2) Institute and prosecute all actions and proceedings for, or for the use of the state, which may be necessary in the execution of the duties of any state officer;
(3) Defend all actions and proceedings against any state officer or employee acting in his or her official capacity, in any of the courts of this state or the United States;
(4) Consult with and advise the several prosecuting attorneys in matters relating to the duties of their office, and when the interests of the state require, he or she shall attend the trial of any person accused of a crime, and assist in the prosecution;
(5) Consult with and advise the governor, members of the legislature, and other state officers, and when requested, give written opinions upon all constitutional or legal questions relating to the duties of such officers;
(6) Prepare proper drafts of contracts and other instruments relating to subjects in which the state is interested;
(7) Give written opinions, when requested by either branch of the legislature, or any committee thereof, upon constitutional or legal questions;
(8) Enforce the proper application of funds appropriated for the public institutions of the state, and prosecute corporations for failure or refusal to make the reports required by law;
(9) Keep in proper books a record of all cases prosecuted or defended by him or her, on behalf of the state or its officers, and of all proceedings had in relation thereto, and deliver the same to his or her successor in office;
(10) Keep books in which he or she shall record all the official opinions given by him or her during his or her term of office, and deliver the same to his or her successor in office;
(11) Pay into the state treasury all moneys received by him or her for the use of the state.
[ 2009 c 549 s 5048; 1975 c 40 s 5; 1971 c 81 s 109; 1965 c 8 s 43.10.030. Prior: (i) 1929 c 92 s 3; RRS s 112. (ii) 1929 c 92 s 4; RRS s 11032; prior: 1891 c 55 s 2; 1888 p 8 s 6.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 39 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1956–2024 · leading case: City of Seattle v. McKenna, 259 P.3d 1087 (Wash. 2011).
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City of Seattle v. McKenna, 259 P.3d 1087 (Wash. 2011). · cites it 41× “We find RCW 43.10.030 to be dispositive of the present action.”
Goldmark v. McKenna, 259 P.3d 1095 (Wash. 2011). · cites it 10× “3d 1087 (noting that RCW 43.10.030 "confers broader authority than the plain text indicates").”
Berge v. Gorton, 567 P.2d 187 (Wash. 1977). · cites it 8× “[3] They then allege that *760 the statutes cited, coupled with the auditor's report as well as the "admission" on the part of the Attorney General that recovery of the funds could be accomplished, create an absolute duty on the part of the Attorney General to recover funds…”
Boe v. Gorton, 567 P.2d 197 (Wash. 1977). · cites it 14× “The only case cited by petitioner to support his argument that RCW 43.10.030 imposes a nondiscretionary duty on the Attorney General is State ex rel.”
State v. Herrmann, 572 P.2d 713 (Wash. 1977). · cites it 17× “The first statute to be considered is RCW 43.10.030(3) which provides the Attorney General shall: Defend all actions and proceedings against any state officer or employee acting in his official capacity, in any of the courts of this state or the United States; (Italics ours.”
Blue Sky Advocates v. State, 727 P.2d 644 (Wash. 1986). · cites it 4× “RCW 43.10.030(2) [4] designated the Attorney General as responsible for bringing actions on behalf of state officers, departments, and agencies.”
Sanders v. State, 207 P.3d 1245 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 5× “¶ 4 While the Commission was investigating the complaint, Justice Sanders made a request to the attorney general for legal representation under RCW 43.10.030 and.040. The request was denied, deferring determination of the judge's eligibility for a public defense until Commission…”
State v. Conifer Enter., Inc., 508 P.2d 149 (Wash. 1973). · cites it 4× “We believe that RCW 43.10.030 (4) 1 , under these circum *96 stances, constitutes sufficient authority for the Attorney General to prosecute this appeal.”
Farris v. Munro, 662 P.2d 821 (Wash. 1983). · cites it 2× “Thus, the case presented issues of significant public interest that, by analogy to other decisions, allow this court to reach the merits.”
Young Americans for Freedom v. Gorton, 588 P.2d 195 (Wash. 1978). · cites it 4× “3, § 21, RCW 43.10.030 and .040, which respectively provide, in pertinent part: The attorney general shall be the legal adviser of the state officers, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law.”
Sanders v. State, 166 Wash. 2d 164 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 5× “¶4 While the Commission was investigating the complaint, Justice Sanders made a request to the attorney general for legal representation under RCW 43.10.030 and .040. The request was denied, deferring determination of the judge’s eligibility for a public defense until Commission…”
In re Citizen Complaint by Stout v. Felix, 493 P.3d 1170 (Wash. 2021). · cites it 2× “Clerk’s Papers at 108; see RCW 43.10.030(3). 20 In re Citizen Complaint by Stout v.”
Show all 39 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 43.10.030(1) — 7 cases
City of Seattle v. McKenna, 259 P.3d 1087 (Wash. 2011). “We find RCW 43.10.030 to be dispositive of the present action.”
Goldmark v. McKenna, 259 P.3d 1095 (Wash. 2011). “3d 1087 (noting that RCW 43.10.030 "confers broader authority than the plain text indicates").”
Young Americans for Freedom v. Gorton, 588 P.2d 195 (Wash. 1978). “3, § 21, RCW 43.10.030 and .040, which respectively provide, in pertinent part: The attorney general shall be the legal adviser of the state officers, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law.”
State v. Taylor, 362 P.2d 247 (Wash. 1961).
State v. City of Sunnyside (Wash. 2024).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 43.10.030(2) — 6 cases
Berge v. Gorton, 567 P.2d 187 (Wash. 1977). “[3] They then allege that *760 the statutes cited, coupled with the auditor's report as well as the "admission" on the part of the Attorney General that recovery of the funds could be accomplished, create an absolute duty on the part of the Attorney General to recover funds…”
Boe v. Gorton, 567 P.2d 197 (Wash. 1977). “The only case cited by petitioner to support his argument that RCW 43.10.030 imposes a nondiscretionary duty on the Attorney General is State ex rel.”
Blue Sky Advocates v. State, 727 P.2d 644 (Wash. 1986). “RCW 43.10.030(2) [4] designated the Attorney General as responsible for bringing actions on behalf of state officers, departments, and agencies.”
Goldmark v. McKenna, 259 P.3d 1095 (Wash. 2011). “3d 1087 (noting that RCW 43.10.030 "confers broader authority than the plain text indicates").”
Sanders v. State, 159 P.3d 479 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 43.10.030(3) — 7 cases
State v. Herrmann, 572 P.2d 713 (Wash. 1977). “The first statute to be considered is RCW 43.10.030(3) which provides the Attorney General shall: Defend all actions and proceedings against any state officer or employee acting in his official capacity, in any of the courts of this state or the United States; (Italics ours.”
In re Citizen Complaint by Stout v. Felix, 493 P.3d 1170 (Wash. 2021). “Clerk’s Papers at 108; see RCW 43.10.030(3). 20 In re Citizen Complaint by Stout v.”
Sanders v. State, 207 P.3d 1245 (Wash. 2009). “¶ 4 While the Commission was investigating the complaint, Justice Sanders made a request to the attorney general for legal representation under RCW 43.10.030 and.040. The request was denied, deferring determination of the judge's eligibility for a public defense until Commission…”
Sanders v. State, 166 Wash. 2d 164 (Wash. 2009). “¶4 While the Commission was investigating the complaint, Justice Sanders made a request to the attorney general for legal representation under RCW 43.10.030 and .040. The request was denied, deferring determination of the judge’s eligibility for a public defense until Commission…”
Sanders v. State, 159 P.3d 479 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 43.10.030(4) — 6 cases
State v. Conifer Enter., Inc., 508 P.2d 149 (Wash. 1973). “We believe that RCW 43.10.030 (4) 1 , under these circum *96 stances, constitutes sufficient authority for the Attorney General to prosecute this appeal.”
State v. Bryant, 146 Wash. 2d 90 (Wash. 2002).
In re Citizen Complaint by Stout v. Felix, 493 P.3d 1170 (Wash. 2021). “Clerk’s Papers at 108; see RCW 43.10.030(3). 20 In re Citizen Complaint by Stout v.”
Whatcom Cnty. v. State, 993 P.2d 273 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000).
State v. Bryant, 42 P.3d 1278 (Wash. 2002).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 43.10.030(8) — 1 case
Boe v. Gorton, 567 P.2d 197 (Wash. 1977). “The only case cited by petitioner to support his argument that RCW 43.10.030 imposes a nondiscretionary duty on the Attorney General is State ex rel.”
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