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 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.
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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The Attorney General Opinions are presented online for informational use only and do not replace the official versions.
NOTE: Attorney General Opinions issued for the period 1/01/1963 through 12/31/1976 are in Adobe Acrobat format, and may be searched by the opinion number and headnote search functions.
Opinions issued from 1977 forward may be searched by the opinion number, keywords, subjects, headnotes, and text search functions. All Opinions are included in the numerical and chronological Lists of Opinions.
NOTICE: The Attorney General Opinions spanning the 1977-1996 period, numbering nearly 1,800, were prepared for publication on this website by automated processes. If you encounter an error in the Opinions text, or the keyword or subject lists (such as garbled text, missing keywords, incorrect subject text, etc.), please make us aware of the error so that we may correct it. Send us the Opinion number and a brief description of the error by email.
Can I obtain an Attorney General's Opinion on a legal matter?
It is the duty of the Attorney General to give her opinion upon all questions of law submitted to her by the Legislature, by the governor, auditor general, treasurer or any other state official.
If the opinion request is granted, it is assigned to an assistant attorney general having recognized expertise in the relevant area of the law. This attorney is expected to prepare a thoroughly researched and well-written draft. The Assistant Attorney General for Law then reviews the draft to assure it is legally sound and performs any editing that may be needed before sending the draft to the Chief Legal Counsel. The draft also may be circulated to other attorneys within the Department of Attorney General for additional substantive review. Drafts of most formal opinions and some letter opinions are first submitted for consideration and approval by the Attorney General's Opinion Review Board (ORB), before submission to the Attorney General for review. Given the time and attention accorded these matters, the opinions process may take several months to complete depending upon the complexity of the question presented.
Dana Nessel was sworn in as Michigan’s 54th Attorney General on January 1, 2019.
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Opinion No. |
Year |
Topic |
|
2024 |
Extending the post-election, six-day time period for the timely receipt of absent voter ballots from individuals in the military or living overseas when the sixth day of the time period falls on a holiday. |
|
|
2024 |
Interpretation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA) and the Michigan Election Law (MEL) with respect to candidates filing Affidavits of Identity (AOI) who previously entered into conciliation agreements to resolve past campaign finance matters. |
|
|
2024 |
Department of State's Personal Financial Disclosure Portal (Portal) created pursuant to our obligations under Proposal 2022-1 and the implementing statutes enacted by the Legislature on December 29, 2023. |
|
|
2023 |
Whether the contractual assessments imposed by local governments under the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Act are considered “special assessments by the local government and treated in a similar manner as the real estate taxes on the property.” |
|
|
2023 |
Direction on how county clerks should handle campaign finance cases that have been on their books for many years. |
|
|
2023 |
Constitutionality of 2022 PA 196, 197, amending Michigan Election Law. Modifications to 2022 PA 197 to accommodate individuals with a print disability. |
|
|
2023 |
The agricultural release exception and due care obligations. |
|
|
2023 |
Reduction in the income tax rate where a percentage increase in the general fund/general purpose revenue for the preceding fiscal year exceeded the inflation rate for that same period and the inflation rate is positive. |
|
|
2022 |
Registration of entities that keep or use animals for experimental purposes. |
|
|
2022 |
Providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability who request them in order to fully participate in meetings that are required by the Open Meetings Act to be held in a place available to the general public. |
|
|
2021 |
The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s authority to go into a closed session. |
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|
2021 |
Auditor General’s authority to audit post-election processes and access election records and equipment. |
|
|
2021 |
Agency Responsibilities regarding applications for tax exemption certificates. |
|
|
2021 |
County regulation of the keeping of livestock and poultry on residential land. |
|
|
2021 |
Constitutionality of the “sex-reassignment surgery” requirement of MCL 333.2831(c). Changing the sex designation on a birth certificate. |
|
|
2020 |
The executive director of the Automotive Theft Protection Authority and the State’s classified service. |
|
|
2020 |
Prohibiting firearms on the Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol building. |
|
|
2019 |
Constitutionality of 2018 PA 608, amending Michigan Election Law. |
|
|
2019 |
Table updated October 28, 2024.