The executive division keeps the attorney general informed of all legal matters in the office to ensure that he is fully informed when making any decision.
The executive staff includes, but is not limited to, the attorney general, chief deputy attorney general, chief counsel, director of legislative affairs, solicitor general, law enforcement coordinator, public relations office, constituent services, and professional administrative staff for the attorney general.
The solicitor general supervises the drafting and submission of all briefs the state files in the U.S. Supreme court, the Alabama supreme court, and the U.S. Court of appeals for the eleventh circuit. The solicitor general also presents oral argument in these courts. The solicitor general is responsible for ensuring the state takes consistent positions in these courts and produces well-written briefs that set out a reasoned view of the law.
In some cases, this division is directly responsible for drafting briefs. In others, the solicitor general supervises the work of other attorneys who have taken primary responsibility for drafting the briefs. In some matters of great importance, the solicitor general represents the state at the trial level. In addition to supervising appellate cases in which the state is a party, the solicitor general also supervises the state’s submission of amicus briefs supporting other parties, such as other states, in cases where Alabama is not a party.
This division plans, coordinates, and directs a broad range of administrative support and information technology services to ensure the office operates efficiently. The chief of the administrative services division coordinates activities and information for various aspects of the office with the chief deputy attorney general and division chiefs.
This division is responsible for: budgeting, accounting, payroll, contracts, information technology, purchasing, property inventory, supplies, printing, human resources, law library, computer assisted legal research, records management, space management, and mail/courier services, as well as assisting with legislation that affects office operations. In addition, this division is responsible for, but not limited to, computer training, telecommunications, website maintenance, audio visual setup for events, and supporting security needs.
This division represents the state in all appeals in state and federal courts in which a criminal defendant has received a death sentence, including the direct appeal, state post-conviction proceedings, federal habeas corpus proceedings, and execution proceedings. In addition, attorneys in this division are required to advise judges, other prosecutors, and the public on death penalty law and procedure.
This division defends the state in institutional litigation for all civil matters in which there is a question of constitutional law and in civil rights, voting rights, and employment discrimination cases. This division seeks to preserve the ability of the state to conduct its business in a fair and constitutional manner, free from interference by federal agencies and private litigants.
The attorney general may not serve as a private attorney for an individual or provide consumers with legal advice; however, the consumer interest division provides services to the citizens of Alabama by answering questions, referring them to the appropriate personnel within the office, and directing consumers to other state or federal governmental agencies dependent upon the issue presented.
Staff also manages consumer complaints and state registrations, including billing and payment processing for charities, fantasy sports operators, health studios, professional fundraisers, professional solicitors, commercial co-venturers, and telemarketers that solicit in or from Alabama.
Consumer specialists investigate and resolve consumers’ complaints and serve as mediators between Alabama consumers and businesses. Consumer specialists develop educational outreach programs teaching consumers how to avoid scams and frequently make presentations throughout the state.
Consumer attorneys enforce the deceptive trade practices act, data breach, civil human trafficking, and other consumer protection laws and regulations by litigating in the state court for damages, penalties, injunctive relief and by participating in national consumer protection multi-state cases on behalf of Alabama consumers. The attorneys represent consumers throughout the state in matters affecting public utility services. Environmental issues are actively litigated on behalf of Alabama to enforce state environmental laws and to prevent and abate pollution of state waters, land, and air.
Environmental
The environmental section represents the state of Alabama on a variety of complex environmental issues before the state and federal courts and numerous state and federal governmental agencies. The environmental section actively litigates on behalf of Alabama to enforce state environmental laws and to prevent and abate pollution of state waters, land, and air. In addition, the section works closely with and/or represents various state environmental regulatory boards and agencies, including the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and the Environmental Management Commission.
Utilities
This section of the civil division acts as the advocate for the consumers before the Alabama Public Service Commission and represents the attorney general in all utility matters before the Public Service Commission. The attorney general, primarily representing residential consumers, intervenes in utility matters affecting the public interest, particularly those utility dockets involving rate and service issues with electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and wastewater companies.
Important links:
Consumer Complaint
License Search
To reach the consumer hotline, please call 1-800-392-5658 or 334-242-7335
For specific questions regarding registrations involving charities, health studios, professional fundraisers, professional solicitors, commercial co-venturers, and telemarketers that solicit in or from the state of Alabama, please call 1-800-392-5658 or 334-242-7335
Attorneys in this division represent the state in all appeals before state and federal appellate courts for all non-death penalty criminal matters. These attorneys rely primarily on judicial precedent; therefore, they have a particular interest in the legal history and in the future development of the law.
This division prosecutes violent crime in circuit courts throughout the state. In addition, the division prosecutes certain economic crimes. Generally, the division prosecutes cases when local authorities, district attorneys, or law enforcement agencies request assistance, have conflicts, or do not have the resources to prosecute lengthy, complex, or technical cases. Such cases often require resources and expertise not generally available to most local authorities.
The criminal trials division also includes the office of victim assistance that provides statewide assistance to victims of violent crime. This office is available to answer questions for victims and their families before and after an offender is sentenced. They assist individuals by advocating for their rights, explaining the judicial process, and maintaining contact so they can be kept informed and updated on all matters pertaining to the case. The office provides direct victim assistance and referrals for victims through its toll-free hotline.
For more information please visit the office of victim assistance
To reach the office of victim assistance, please call 1-800-626-7676 or 334-242-7342
This division provides legal services to various state boards, bureaus, agencies, departments, and commissions. This division can serve as both a defender and initiator of civil actions. The range of civil matters handled by this division includes prisoner litigation, representation in administrative hearings, contracts, and related commercial transactions. The division’s attorneys also act as hearing officers for various administrative hearings.
This division provides investigative support for criminal and prosecutorial matters. This division also assists other law enforcement agencies as needed. In 2018, the cybercrime lab was established to provide federal, state, and local law enforcement with digital investigative and forensic support.
Important Links
This unit is responsible for investigating and prosecuting allegations of fraud against the Alabama Medicaid program and by Medicaid providers. This unit also investigates allegations of patient abuse in Medicaid funded facilities. Although this unit is under the control of the attorney general, it operates with federal matching funds and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
By law, upon written request, the attorney general is required to furnish a written opinion on questions of law to the governor, state departments, agencies, boards, bureaus, commissions, certain legislative committees, other public officials, and political subdivisions entitled by law to receive such opinions. Attorneys in this division draft opinions on questions of law posed to the attorney general. Archived opinions by the attorney general are available on the office’s internet site.
Search Opinions Issued by The Attorney General
This division prosecutes mainly public corruption and complex economic crimes. The special prosecutions division works with federal and state agencies to conduct joint investigations and prosecutions. In addition, the division assists various commissions and agencies with prosecutions.
