The Attorney General serves as the chief legal officer of the state, advocating for Arizonans and their rights. The Attorney General is mandated by the Arizona Constitution and elected to a four-year term by the people of Arizona.
The Arizona Attorney General's Office (AAGO) is the largest law firm in the state. The 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.
AAGO 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.
AAGO does not have jurisdiction to provide individuals legal representation. This means the office is unable to provide legal advice, opinions, or interpretation of laws to individuals.
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 Arizona Attorney General’s Office, through its Child and Family Protection Division, provides legal services to all the divisions of the Department of Economic Security (DES), including the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS). It also provides legal services to the Department of Child Safety.
The Office is divided into:
- Criminal Division
- State Government Division
- Child and Family Protection Division
- Civil Litigation Division
- Solicitor General's Office
- Operations