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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June 26, 2025
LANSING – Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a decision (PDF) affirming the constitutionality of Michigan’s lifesaving Newborn Screening Program and the BioTrust for Health, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The decision reversed a lower court’s ruling that had found the programs violated the Constitutional rights of the children and their parents to direct their children’s medical care.
The Newborn Screening Program, operated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), collects blood samples from newborn babies and screens them for diseases, which helps save infant lives through early detection. Newborn screening looks for more than 50 disorders that can affect blood cells, brain development, how the body breaks down nutrients from food, lungs and breathing, hormones and how the body fights infection. This includes congenital hyperthyroidism, sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. The BioTrust for Health facilitates third-party health research using de-identified data or blood spots collected by the Newborn Screening Program.
“The Newborn Screening Program saves lives,” Nessel said. “I want to thank the Court for its decision and the dedicated attorneys in my office who litigated this case for years to ensure Michigan can continue early detection of serious diseases while also advancing medical research through privacy-protected de-identified data.”
“With this ruling, MDHHS can continue to fulfill its commitment to protect the health and well-being of Michigan families, particularly its youngest and most vulnerable residents,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Michigan’s newborn screening program is designed to quickly diagnose babies who may look healthy but have rare and often serious disorders that require early treatment. Since 1965, this program has ensured thousands of families were quickly provided information about their baby’s condition, allowing for early interventions and healthier outcomes.”
The Sixth Circuit reaffirmed that the programs’ post-screening practices, including analyzing de-identified blood spots for quality improvement and making them available to vetted health researchers, does not violate constitutional protections. The decision also vacated a lower court’s injunction that had ordered the destruction of stored blood spots and associated data.
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