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.
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.
Knowing how to guard your personal information is your first line of defense against identity theft.
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 26, 2026
LANSING – Today, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed and vacated the Michigan Court of Claims decision (PDF) on the processing of absent-voter ballots, ruling that Michigan law does not prohibit the tabulation of absent-voter ballots returned with missing or mismatched ballot stubs, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The Attorney General appealed the Court of Claims order on behalf of the Secretary of State and the Director of Elections.
In September 2024, the Republican National Committee, Michigan Republican Party, and Chesterfield Township Clerk Cindy Berry filed a lawsuit targeting the Secretary of State’s 2024 guidance that instructed election inspectors to process absent-voter ballots with missing or mismatched stubs as challenged ballots if the discrepancy could not be explained, rather than rejecting them. The Plaintiffs argued this guidance violated Michigan law, claiming that the absent-voter ballots should be rejected.
In December 2025, the Court of Claims ruled that election inspectors lacked the authority to tabulate these ballots and imposed a 10-step cure procedure for ballots with missing or mismatched stubs that conflicted with existing laws. Attorney General Nessel appealed the decision, arguing that the Court of Claims misinterpreted the law.
In its decision today, the Court of Appeals held that the Court of Claims erred in interpreting the statute to prohibit the tabulation of those ballots and concluded that the Secretary of State’s instructions did not conflict with the statute. The Court of Appeals also found that the Court of Claims abused its discretion by imposing the 10-step cure procedure proposed by the Plaintiffs without making the required legal findings.
“Every eligible voter deserves a voice in our democracy, and this lawsuit was just another tactic by Republicans to bully clerks, suppress votes, and disrupt our elections,” said Attorney General Nessel. “I am relieved that the Court of Appeals saw through this stunt and struck down a burdensome hurdle for our local election workers. This decision marks our fourth elections victory this week. Our state is leading the nation in securing safe, accessible ballots, and my office will continue fighting these absurd legal challenges to protect the fundamental rights of Michiganders.”
“Michigan elections are safe and secure,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Secretary of State Benson and countless local clerks and government officials work hard to run elections and help Michiganders make their voices heard. This ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals will help them continue to do their jobs and give Michiganders the confidence that their votes can be cast and counted. I’m grateful to Attorney General Nessel for her work on this case. Let’s keep working together to keep our elections free, fair, and secure.”
“Today’s ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals affirms that partisan attacks on our state’s safe and secure elections are unwelcome and dangerous,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Thank you to Secretary of State Benson, Attorney General Nessel, and everyone who worked to bring about today’s result. Let’s keep standing up for every Michigander’s right to vote and make their voices heard.”
“We always follow the law,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Today, the court decisively rejected baseless claims about our process and policy for mail ballots. The plaintiffs tried to force election officials to throw out ballots legally cast by Michigan voters, silencing their voices. This ruling affirms that the voice of every Michigan voter matters, striking a strong blow against the RNC’s ongoing project to undermine faith in Michigan’s secure elections and make it harder for our citizens to vote. It doesn’t matter how many lies and obstacles they throw our way – we will always fight to ensure our election system is fair, accessible, and secure.”
This is Attorney General Nessel’s fourth victory this week protecting the fundamental right to vote. Yesterday, the Attorney General secured a motion for summary judgment blocking the Trump Administration from exerting federal control over state elections. She also secured two other major victories earlier this week when the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit targeting sensitive voter information and a separate federal court struck down President Donald Trump’s March 2025 Elections Executive Order.
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Litigation and manufactured “settlement” agreement designed to create a taxpayer funded windfall for President Trump and his family