Office of the Attorney General (Department of Legal Affairs)

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What is the purpose of the office?

The Office of the Attorney General, also known as the Department of Legal Affairs, provides a wide variety of legal services, including defending the state in civil litigation cases, representing the people of Florida in criminal appeals in state and federal courts, protecting rights of children, consumers, and victims through its various protection programs, and investigating and litigating against businesses that seek to limit competition and defraud taxpayers.

Who is the Attorney General?

The current Attorney General is Ashley Moody. The Florida constitution designates the Attorney General as the chief state legal officer. The constitution requires the Attorney General to be elected every four years and be at least 30 years old. To qualify for election, the Attorney General must have resided in the state for the preceding seven years and have been a member of the Florida Bar for the preceding five years. The Attorney General serves as a member of the Florida Cabinet and as a member of the Executive Clemency Board.

What services does the office provide?

The office provides a wide variety of legal services that can be broadly divided into four areas.

Criminal and Civil Litigation
- assesses whether ethical charges against public officials should move forward;
- litigates criminal and capital (death sentence) appeals in state and federal court;
- provides legal representation on matters pertaining to professional licensure and disciplinary boards, the defense and assessment of state taxes, federal and state employment law, acquisition of private land through eminent domain, corrections litigation pertaining to Florida inmates, and tort-related issues for which the state may be assessed damages;
- investigates and litigates against businesses and individuals who violate state and federal antitrust, civil rights, and Medicaid laws;
- protects the economic marketplace by prosecuting violators of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Florida Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act;
- protects the rights of children through legal services and child support enforcement;
- coordinates state and local law enforcement and social services responses to fight commercial sexual exploitation as a form of human trafficking through the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking;
- seeks to resolve disputes between government agencies and citizens seeking access to public records, as well as between automobile manufacturers and dissatisfied new car owners and leasees; and
- defends the constitutional power, duties, and responsibilities of all three branches of Florida government through the Solicitor General.
Executive Direction and Support Services
- assists the Attorney General in her role as a member of the Florida Cabinet,
- provides legal opinions to government officials, and
- administers the agency in general.
Statewide Prosecution
- investigates and prosecutes multi-circuit crime, and
- assists state and local law enforcement in their efforts to combat organized crime.
Victim Services
- helps ensure financial assistance for victims of crime, and
- educates the public about crime prevention.

Does the office house any independent entities?

Yes, the Florida Elections Commission enforces Florida's campaign finance laws. The commission is housed in the Attorney General's office for administrative purposes only. It is not subject to the control, supervision, or direction of the Attorney General.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2020-21

	Fund	Dollars	Positions
LEGAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF, AND ATTORNEY GENERAL
PROGRAM: FLORIDA ELECTIONS COMMISSION
	CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND ELECTION FRAUD ENFORCEMENT	1,641,462	15.00
PROGRAM: OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
	CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LITIGATION	107,299,962	1,003.00
	EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES	29,538,788	156.00
	VICTIM SERVICES	218,101,225	133.00
PROGRAM: OFFICE OF STATEWIDE PROSECUTION
	PROSECUTION OF MULTI-CIRCUIT ORGANIZED CRIME	9,870,419	77.50
TOTAL		366,451,856	1,384.50

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
Florida's Opioid Epidemic: Recommendations & Best Practices, Opioid Working Group, Office of the Attorney General, March 2019.
Statewide Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report 2019, Office of Attorney General.
Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs Annual Report, 2017-2018, Office of Attorney General.
Biennial Report of the Attorney General - State of Florida; January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2018, Office of Attorney General, May 2019.
2020 Government In The Sunshine Manual, Office of Attorney General.
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website.

Websites of Interest
Office of Attorney General, Opinions
Office of the Attorney General, Addresses and Phone Numbers
Office of the Attorney General, Maps for Visiting Offices
National Association of Attorneys General

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Article IV, Sections 4, 5, and 10, Constitution of the State of Florida; and Ch. 16 and s. 20.11, Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Office of Attorney General, 850-414-3300, 850-414-3990 (Citizens Services), or 1-866-966-7226

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