Opinions:
Information About Opinions > Statement of Purpose
The Arkansas Attorney General is charged by statute with the responsibility of providing written legal opinions requested by state officials. This includes constitutional officers, members of the General Assembly, prosecuting attorneys, heads of executive departments of the State, and heads of state boards and commissions. A.C.A. § 25-16-706. The purpose of the Opinions Department is to assist in fulfilling this statutory duty by preparing drafts of formal, written opinions. In addition to those mentioned above, opinions are also issued to county boards of election commissioners on election law questions. The Opinions Department is also responsible for approval of interlocal cooperation agreements, approval of popular names and ballot titles for initiatives and referendums of statewide impact, and responses to requests for opinions concerning the application of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") pertaining to the release of certain public employment records. While opinions of the Attorney General do not constitute binding law or precedent, they do provide a significant source of legal interpretation, often with respect to questions that have not been addressed elsewhere.
The Opinions Department is charged with the responsibility of responding to all the above requests in a timely and professional manner. Requests pertaining to personnel records under the FOIA must be answered within three working days, approval of popular names and ballot titles must be answered within ten working days, and the Department attempts to answer all other opinion requests within thirty days of receipt.
