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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October 29, 2026
LANSING — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 20 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit (PDF) to stop the Trump administration from exempting nearly all businesses from compliance with the federal Corporate Transparency Act. That law, passed with bipartisan support in 2021, created a U.S. Department of Treasury database of business owners that law enforcement can use to trace suspect money, track down stolen assets, and uncover bribes and political payoffs. The Act requires businesses to tell the federal government who owns and controls them, though the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN, has newly exempted 99.9% of businesses from compliance with the law.
In August 2026, the Trump administration issued a rule exempting nearly every business from reporting. Then FinCEN went further, announcing it would delete the ownership information already in the database, records that likely include evidence of unsolved crimes. The coalition plaintiff states argue that would break multiple federal laws.
“If this administration is allowed to gut the Corporate Transparency Act and erase important records, a critical safeguard against financial misconduct will be stripped away,” said Attorney General Nessel. “The federal government doesn't get to circumvent a law it no longer wishes to enforce. We join this action to send the message that companies guilty of committing corruption, financial crimes and fraud will not get a free pass.”
In their lawsuit, the states allege FinCEN violated the Corporate Transparency Act and Administrative Procedure Act, skipped required legal steps before changing the rule, acted arbitrarily and without a reasonable explanation, and failed to properly consult the Secretary of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney General before exempting nearly all businesses.
The states ask the Court to reject FinCEN’s rule and require the agency to keep collecting and maintaining the ownership database for law enforcement.
Also joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Washington, and Wisconsin.
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