The Charitable Trust Section functions for Michigan citizens as a repository of financial and other information about charities they may want to support. At any one time there are more than 10,000 charities registered with the Attorney General's Charitable Trust Section. Most charities soliciting contributions in Michigan are required to register with the Charitable Trust Section. One of the goals of the Attorney General is to help educate the public and to assist them in making wise choices about what charities to support.
The Great Lakes define Michigan’s borders, but they are so much more than that. The Great Lakes are the lifeblood of our state, boosting our economy and providing drinking water and adventure to so many. Their preservation is up to all of us, and we all have a responsibility to protect them.
The Michigan Attorney General has determined that a full and complete investigation of what happened within the Catholic Church is required. This investigation is and will continue to be independent, thorough, transparent, and prompt. My department and this investigation will find out who knew what, and when.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General utilizes the services of Special Assistant Attorneys General from time to time when the unique circumstances of a particular case create the need for specialized services not currently available within the department.
The Conviction Integrity Unit (the “CIU”) investigates claims of innocence to determine whether there is clear and convincing new evidence that the convicted defendant was not the person who committed the offense.
In Michigan, a victim is an individual who suffers direct or threatened physical, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime.
The Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors - all working together to combat elder abuse.
The laws regarding expungement of criminal offenses in Michigan changed in major ways in April of 2021. This page is designed to help applicants navigate their way through the new laws, help them determine if they are eligible to have convictions expunged, to answer frequently asked questions about the new laws, and to provide links for resources and assistance.
In late 2018, Attorney General Dana Nessel was elected and upon taking office in 2019, she made decisions to put a conflict wall in place that allowed her to lead the civil litigation into the Flint Water Crisis. The Office of Special Counsel was no longer needed, and Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy were tapped to lead the criminal investigation.
To investigate and prosecute hate crimes by following up on every credible tip and offer departmental resources to assist local and federal law enforcement partners in this effort.
The Michigan Attorney General is leading the fight against this horrific crime by prosecuting the state's first-ever criminal cases under state law banning human trafficking in Michigan. Victims of human trafficking are in bondage through force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation.
Michigan Identity Theft Support
Michigan Attorney General's robocall initiative is leading several efforts to protect Michigan residents from the billion plus robocalls made to them every year.
The Attorney General provides Consumer Alerts to inform the public of unfair, misleading, or deceptive business practices, and to provide information and guidance on other issues of concern. Consumer Alerts are not legal advice, legal authority, or a binding legal opinion from the Department of Attorney General.
The Open Meetings Act (OMA) took effect January 1, 1977. In enacting the OMA, the Legislature promoted a new era in governmental accountability and fostered openness in government to enhance responsible decision making.1 Nothing in the OMA prohibits a public body from adopting an ordinance, resolution, rule, or charter provision that requires a greater degree of openness relative to public body meetings than the standards provided for in the OMA. 2
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The organization is ultimately responsible for what is said and done. Review all scripts and written solicitations for accuracy. Any information that misleads the public violates Michigan law!
Remember -- your public image is your most important asset.
Get a license number and call the Charitable Trust Section of the Department of Attorney General to verify the answer. Every licensed fund raiser is bonded to protect you and donors. If they handle funds, they must file a campaign financial statement following each campaign reporting funds raised, amounts paid out in expenses and amounts kept by the charity or public safety organization.
Ask the fund raiser for references. Call those organizations and ask about their experience with the fund raiser and what percentage of the funds raised they retained. Call the Charitable Trust Section and the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been filed. Ask the Charitable Trust Section for copies of contracts or campaign financial statements from previous campaigns that have been filed with them. The campaign financial statements will tell you how the fund raiser has performed for other organizations.
Will the fund raiser solicit by mail, telephone, personal contacts, other methods? Who will develop material to be used -- scripts, scripted answers to questions, invoices, brochures? Will you have the opportunity to approve all materials? If the fund raiser has a standard contract, review a blank contract before you sign. Maintain control of what is said and how it is said. Insist on frequent progress reports throughout the campaign. Visit the phone room, ask how phone solicitors will be trained, and insist on supervision. Remember individual solicitors must be registered with the Charitable Trust Section, make sure these registrations are filed regularly.
Have checks be made out to your organization, not to the fund raiser. If a mail drop box is rented to collect donations, it is best if the organization collects the mail. Remember if you contract with an out-of-state fund raiser the only way to verify donations and expenses may be to visit their office!
