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 removes a conviction from public view. Most employers, landlords, and background checks will not see it. Law enforcement and some licensing agencies may still access it. This page will help explain who qualifies, how the process works, and where to get help.
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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September 22, 2026
LANSING – Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a coalition of 21 attorneys general secured a significant win in court, blocking the federal administration’s unlawful attempt to exclude low-income families from a suite of essential social service programs by changing critical rules related to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). In July 2025, Attorney General Nessel and the coalition filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s reinterpretation of PRWORA, a decades-old law governing access to social services.
This case challenged memos issued by the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and Labor, reinterpreting PRWORA. The administration’s reinterpretation excluded certain lawful immigrants from “federal public benefits,” including base-level safety net programs like Head Start, Title X (family planning services), community services block grants, federally qualified health centers, many homeless services, as well as mental health, substance abuse, and various public health programs. The reinterpretation would have also required the entities that operate these programs—state and local governments, school districts, nonprofits, and community-based organizations—to verify individual’s immigration status to determine eligibility, despite no ability to do so, creating chaos in providing services under these programs. Programs such as food banks, homeless services, and vaccine clinics are not equipped to check immigration status and doing so, argued the coalition of attorneys general, would only serve to intimidate program beneficiaries.
“This attempt to redefine long-standing policy was clearly both unlawful and harmful, which this decision makes clear,” said Attorney General Nessel. “The administration’s efforts sought to deprive vulnerable communities from accessing essential services. I remain committed to protecting access to these vital programs and will always stand against efforts to illegally take away from Michigan residents crucial supports our communities depend on.”
The preliminary injunction the coalition secured in 2025 prevented the challenged memos from taking effect. Today’s order vacates the five challenged memos and permanently enjoins their enforcement.
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