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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.
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September 03, 2025
LANSING – Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, state Representative Kelly Breen (D-Novi), and state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) announced a bipartisan package of bills aimed at combating human trafficking. The legislative package would strengthen Michigan’s law against human trafficking and provide vital protections for survivors.
“I want to thank Representative Breen, Senator Damoose, and all the other legislators who have championed this bipartisan package of bills,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Human trafficking will not disappear overnight. It is entrenched, organized, and fueled by billions of dollars, but we can make Michigan a far more dangerous place for traffickers to operate and a far safer place for survivors to heal with this legislation.”
“There aren’t words to describe how sickening it is that so many women, children, and men are literally enslaved by criminals who use another person’s life for their own pleasure or profit,” said Senator Damoose. “No matter what one’s background or political ideas may be, we can all unite around the fact that human trafficking is a grave moral evil, and it is time to stand up to ensure that Michigan has the toughest laws in the country to clamp down on both those engaged in the trafficking and those who prey upon the victims who are being abused.”
“We must strengthen prevention efforts, close the loopholes traffickers exploit, and ensure survivors are treated not as criminals, but as victims deserving of dignity and care,” said Representative Breen. “Human trafficking thrives in silence and inaction. Let us not be silent. Let us not delay. Let us stand together, across party lines, to confront this evil with the urgency it demands.”
"The Michigan Anti-Trafficking Project is inspiring communities across Michigan and beyond to take action against human trafficking and the culture that perpetuates exploitation,” said Dawn Connors, executive director of the Michigan Anti-Trafficking Project. “We do this through our community groups across the state, through training and education for professionals and communities, and through grassroots advocacy efforts. We encourage legislation that supports survivors and holds buyers and traffickers accountable. We hope that you will look into these bills, ask questions, listen to survivors, and join with us as we take action and make our state a place where traffickers and buyers are not welcome.”
Human trafficking can take on many forms, including forced labor and sexual exploitation. Labor trafficking is found in many different markets that consumers might not suspect, such as convenience stores, nail salons, massage parlors, farming and agriculture, and restaurants. Those being trafficked often do not even realize they are victims of human trafficking or are not aware of how to get help.
Michigan received an "F" rating from Shared Hope International and the Polaris Project in 2023 for the state’s human trafficking statutes. While the Michigan Legislature took up measures last year to combat some of these issues and provide better protections for survivors and victims, they fell short of passing much-needed legislation.
The legislation introduced today seeks to strengthen protections for human trafficking survivors and enhance accountability for traffickers. The legislative package consisting of House and Senate bills would:
Attorney General Nessel is leading the fight against human trafficking in Michigan by prosecuting criminal cases under state laws banning human trafficking and working with law enforcement task forces through the Human Trafficking Unit to help put an end to trafficking in the state. Attorneys from the Department also conduct trainings for law enforcement and prosecutors and work with community members and advocates to raise awareness of this crime. To date, the Department has trained over 3,000 law enforcement agencies, charged 40 individuals, and secured 29 trafficking convictions.
Additionally, the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission was formed in 2015 after the 2014 Human Trafficking Commission Act became law. The Commission is comprised of 9 members appointed by the Governor and includes designees from the Department of Attorney General, Michigan State Police, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Assistant Attorney General Melissa Palepu is the Commission’s current chair.
The mission of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission, as set forth by the 2014 Human Trafficking Commission Act, includes:
Reviewing existing state laws and administrative rules relating to human trafficking and making recommendations to the legislature to improve those laws and rules to address human trafficking violations in Michigan.
The Michigan Human Trafficking Commission meets at the Williams Building at 525 W. Ottawa Street and its meetings are accessible remotely via Microsoft Teams. The Commission invites survivors of human trafficking, advocacy groups, law enforcement partners, and members of the public to join their upcoming meetings from noon to 1 p.m. scheduled for September 22 and November 17.
Victims of human trafficking or those who have identified someone they think may need help can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text 233733. This is a national, toll-free hotline that is available to answer calls, texts, and chats from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. All calls are confidential. People who live in the State of Michigan who suspect human trafficking can call 855-MICH-TIP for assistance.
Additional information on the Attorney General's human trafficking initiative, including updated state laws prohibiting trafficking, is available on the Attorney General's website.
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