Arizona Attorney General
About the Office
The Attorney General serves as the chief legal officer of the State. The Attorney General is mandated by our constitution and elected to a four-year term by the people of Arizona.
The Attorney General’s Office represents and provides legal advice to most State agencies; enforces consumer protection and civil rights laws; and prosecutes criminals charged with complex financial crimes and certain conspiracies involving illegal drugs. In addition, all appeals statewide from felony convictions are handled by this Office.
The Child and Family Protection Division provides legal services to the Department of Economic Security (DES), including Child Protective Services (CPS) and Child Support Enforcement.
The Attorney General’s Office brings and defends lawsuits on behalf of the State and prepares formal legal opinions requested by State officers, legislators, or county attorneys on issues of law.
The Attorney General’s Office has jurisdiction over Arizona's Consumer Fraud Act, white collar crime, organized crime, public corruption, environmental laws, civil rights laws, and crimes committed in more than one county. Additionally, this Office prosecutes cases normally handled by county attorneys when they have a conflict.
The Attorney General’s Office is the largest law office in the State. The Office is divided into:
The Criminal Division's mission is to protect the citizens of Arizona by successfully investigating and aggressively and fairly prosecuting criminal cases within the State of Arizona and in representing the State in capital and non-capital appeals. (Continued)
The Public Advocacy Division is made up of Consumer Protection and Environmental Enforcement. The Division pursues those who prey upon the public and threaten the economic and environmental well-being of Arizonans. The Division’s attorneys provide legal advice to the State’s Banking, Real Estate, and Insurance Departments. (Continued)
The mission of the Civil Rights Division is to enforce civil rights laws, increase public awareness of civil rights, and provide dispute resolution services. The Division’s major duty is to enforce state and federal statutes that prohibit discrimination in employment, voting, public accommodations, disability, and housing by investigating and litigating civil rights complaints. (Continued)
The Child and Family Protection Division is responsible for providing legal services to all programs and business operations of the Department of Economic Security (DES) (www.azdes.gov), but as such, cannot give legal advice or provide representation to the public. (Continued)
The Civil Division provides comprehensive legal services for its many clients across State government in lawsuits concerning employment discrimination, personal injuries, licensing, property damage, and constitutional law issues. It also defends the State against liability lawsuits. (Continued)
The Finance Division provides legal advice, litigation, budgetary, contract, accounting and financial control services and advice to the Office and to the executive and judicial branches of State government. (Continued)
The Solicitor General assists in appellate cases, including supervision of all civil appeals; oversees preparation of legal opinions; administers and enforces State election laws; provides independent advice to State agencies and boards in administrative proceedings in which Assistant Attorneys General appear as advocates; reviews constitutional challenges to State laws; and works on special projects as requested by the Attorney General. (Continued)
The Executive Office is led by the Attorney General, Chief of Staff and Chief Deputy who provide the Office with overall policy and management. The Executive Office staff includes a Director of Community Outreach and Education, Director of Legislative Affairs, and Director of Communications. The Executive Office is the focal point for policy development, external communications, emergencies, and issues that are sensitive or have broad impact.
Policy and Program Development 
The Policy and Program Development Office oversees internal policies and procedures; manages internal communications; administers programs for Interns, Law Clerks and Volunteer Attorneys; and implements initiatives for the efficient use of resources.
The Employee Services Office consists of Human Resources and Facilities Management. Human Resources provides internal support for employee benefits and records, employee relations, and personnel practices. Facilities Management oversees building maintenance, security, and loss prevention issues.
