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 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 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 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.
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.
Knowing how to guard your personal information is your first line of defense against identity theft.
Michigan Attorney General's robocall initiative is leading several efforts to protect Michigan residents from the billion plus robocalls made to them every year.
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq, provides that requesters can receive copies or make inspections of most public records of public bodies upon written request.
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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Thank you for your interest in Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force (EATF) – an alliance representing more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors – all working together to reduce barriers facing our aging population.
Please take a few minutes to catch up on what the Task Force has been up to since our last issue in April 2024.
If you want this information sent regularly to your email inbox, it’s as easy as signing up using the link below.
Sign Up to Receive Future Elder Abuse Task Force Newsletters
Michigan’s recently passed Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA) is now in effect and Attorney General Dana Nessel has released a public service announcement explaining the new law.
The UPOAA adopts uniform standards for the creation and use of a power of attorney form used by more than 30 other states. The passage of this law is expected to increase financial institutions’ and healthcare providers’ acceptance of Power of Attorney forms; reduce the number of guardianship and conservatorship court proceedings in the state; and impose penalties if an agent uses the power granted by a Power of Attorney to steal from or abuse the person they are acting on behalf of.
Last month, Rep. Kelly Breen introduced legislation (House Bill 5833), which would bring Michigan in line with 44 other states that allow family members (or a designated non-family member) to make healthcare decisions when a loved one is temporarily unable to consent to treatment.
HB 5833: This bill would amend the Estates and Protected Individuals Code to provide a statutory mechanism to permit family or other interested individuals to make healthcare decisions for a temporarily incapacitated patient without the need to secure a guardian appointment from the local probate court. This bill has been referred to the Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors.
In addition, Sens. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) introduced a four-bill package (Senate Bills 922-925, referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety) aimed at better protecting those who are vulnerable because of a mental or physical impairment or advanced age. Each bill is described in more detail below.
SB 922: Ths bill would create authority for the issuance of a personal protection order (PPO) tailored to address the unique needs of the state’s vulnerable adult population. If enacted, this type of PPO would prohibit an individual from taking various actions that could endanger the petitioner’s safety or well-being, including entering premises, committing assault, making threats, possessing firearms, and other behaviors. Additionally, the issuing court would be authorized to grant any other relief needed to prevent or remedy the financial exploitation of the petitioner.
SB 923: Currently, embezzlement of a vulnerable adult is only subject to a six-year statute of limitations. This bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to include embezzlement of a vulnerable adult as a predicate offense of racketeering, allowing prosecutors to pursue recovery of property under a 10-year statute of limitations.
SB 924: Under current law, a person is only explicitly prohibited from using or obtaining a vulnerable adult’s money or property through fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, coercion, or unjust enrichment during the vulnerable adult’s lifetime. The proposed amendment would extend this protection beyond the vulnerable adult’s death. This bill would allow for the recovery of money or property taken during the victim’s lifetime or from the victim’s estate.
SB 925: This bill would allow each county or region to create a vulnerable adult multidisciplinary team. These teams would facilitate the coordination and collaboration of agencies, allowing them to take a holistic approach to preventing, investigating, prosecuting, and intervening in the abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Readers are encouraged to contact the legislative committee members to voice their support for all five of the bills discussed above.
HB 4909-4912, supported by Attorney General Nessel and the Elder Abuse Task Force (EATF), would bring sweeping changes to the state’s guardianship and conservatorship laws. The bills passed with strong support in the state House last fall and remain pending before the Senate.
On June 13, 2024, Scott Teter, Division Chief of the Department of Attorney General Financial Crimes Division, and head of the Elder Abuse Task Force, testified before the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee in support of the reform package.
The proposed reforms in HB 4909-4912 would:
The tri-fold brochure identifies physical, emotional, behavioral, and financial signs that often are present when elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation is present. It also includes a list of various agencies to contact when elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation is suspected.
Task Force members and agencies/organizations that have a mission consistent with the EATF may request copies for distribution by sending an email with the subject line “EATF brochure request” and indicate the quantity needed, preferred language (English, Arabic, Spanish, and Mandarin available), and address for mailing (no P.O. boxes, please).