The Attorney General serves as the chief legal officer of the State of Missouri as mandated by our Constitution. The Attorney General is elected by Missouri voters, serves a four-year term, and is not subject to constitutional term limits.
The Attorney General’s Office represents and provides legal advice to most state agencies; defends challenges to the validity of state laws; enforces civil law, including consumer protection and environmental laws; defends the State’s interest in civil actions, including bankruptcies, workers’ compensation claims, professional licensing cases, and habeas corpus actions filed by state and federal inmates; and serves as a special prosecutor in criminal cases when appointed. In addition, the Office handles all appeals statewide from felony convictions.
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 Office represents the State in litigation at all levels ranging from a variety of administrative tribunals to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Attorney General’s Office is among the largest law offices in the state. The Office comprises two general divisions: Civil and Criminal.
The Civil Division includes:
Consumer Protection
Litigation
Financial Services
Labor
Governmental Affairs
The Criminal Division includes:
Public Safety
Criminal Appeals
Medicaid Fraud
The Office also includes an Office of Solicitor General, who represents the interests of the state in appellate and national matters.
