The Michigan Department of Attorney General (DAG) works tirelessly to protect and serve the people of Michigan. The DAG handles a wide range of legal matters from civil and criminal cases, to providing legal counsel to state agencies and officers, to advocating for crime victims.
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.
Knowing how to guard your personal information is your first line of defense against identity theft.
The Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) reviews cases where someone is saying they did not commit the crime(s) of which they were convicted. There must be new evidence that shows they did not commit the crime. This new evidence must rise to the legal standard of "clear and convincing" evidence of innocence.
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.
Elder abuse happens when someone hurts, ignores, or takes advantage of an older adult. This may be someone who is of advanced age or is vulnerable and unable to protect themselves due to a mental or physical issues.
An expungement is a way to remove past offenses from your public record. Expansions under the “Clean Slate” laws include eligibility for up to three felonies and unlimited misdemeanors, excluding certain assault or weapons offenses and felonies that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
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 workers enjoy a wide variety of legal protections regarding issues at work. There are a number of state and federal statutes that protect their wages, safety, and well-being.
Opioid addiction knows no social or economic barriers; it doesn’t care about race or gender. It claims young and old alike. The Michigan Department of Attorney General is committed to fighting this crisis.
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 16, 2026
LANSING – Today, Jessica Klimp, 45, and Jason Klimp, 47, were sentenced by Judge Charles Hamlyn in the 28th Circuit Court in Wexford County after pleading no contest to two counts of First-Degree Child Abuse, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Jessica Klimp was sentenced to 8 years, 3 months, and 4 days’ incarceration, while Jason Klimp was sentenced to 8 years, 3 months, and 9 days’ incarceration. The sentences were structured as part of a plea agreement to effectuate a 10-year term of incarceration, running concurrently with each defendant’s 10-year sentence for related offenses in Tennessee.
“Kids deserve to grow up in a loving home free from abuse,” said Attorney General Nessel at the time the defendants pled. “The cruelty that these children endured is heartbreaking, and while no outcome can erase the trauma, I hope these convictions will provide a sense of justice and healing.”
Jason and Jessica Klimp, formerly of Cadillac, were parents to four adopted children and four biological children. While the Klimp family was staying in a rented house in Tennessee in February 2024, one of their adopted children was taken to the University of Tennessee Hospital and later transferred to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital with symptoms of severe dehydration and malnutrition. Two of the adopted children were found to be severely underweight, were fed only liquified food, and had only supervised access to food.
Following the incident, Michigan State Police executed a search warrant of the couple’s Wexford County home where authorities discovered a straitjacket in the bedroom, security alarms on the bedroom door, and dog cages that appeared to have been used to confine the children. The couple was initially charged by the Wexford County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in February 2024.
In related crimes in Tennessee, the defendants pled guilty to one count of Aggravated Child Abuse and were sentenced in October 2025 to 10 years’ incarceration. The couple was extradited from Tennessee to Michigan last year to face these additional charges. The couple’s parental rights have been terminated.
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Litigation and manufactured “settlement” agreement designed to create a taxpayer funded windfall for President Trump and his family