Office of the Attorney General (Department of Legal Affairs)

Printer Friendly Version

What is the purpose of the office?

The Office of the Attorney General, 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, operating consumers protection programs and victim service programs, prosecuting some criminal offenses, and investigating Medicaid fraud.

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.

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 involving agencies and employees of the state;
- 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;
- protects the rights of children through child support enforcement;
- helps coordinate state and local law enforcement and social services responses to fight commercial sexual exploitation as a form of human trafficking as chair of 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 new car owners and lessees; and
- defends the constitutional power, duties, and responsibilities of all three branches of Florida government through the Solicitor General.
Division of Administrative Services

assists the Attorney General in administering the agency, including budget, finance, and accounting activities, and
provides other services such as facilities management and human resources.

Statewide Prosecution
- investigates and prosecutes multi-circuit crime, and
- assists state and local law enforcement in their efforts to combat organized crime.
Victim Services
- provides services to crime victims 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 and the Florida Gaming Control Commission investigates and enforces Florida pari-mutuel and gaming statutes and rules. The commissions are housed in the Attorney General's office for administrative purposes only. They are not subject to the control, supervision, or direction of the Attorney General.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2022-23

	Fund	Dollars	Positions
LEGAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF, AND ATTORNEY GENERAL
FLORIDA GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION
PROGRAM: GAMING ENFORCEMENT
	EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES	10,041,602	56.00
	GAMING ENFORCEMENT	3,238,531	20.00
	PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING	9,169,084	59.00
	SLOT MACHINE REGULATION	5,259,209	50.00
PROGRAM: FLORIDA ELECTIONS COMMISSION
	CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND ELECTION FRAUD ENFORCEMENT	2,143,856	16.00
PROGRAM: OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
	CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LITIGATION	119,233,042	900.00
	EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES	27,363,516	158.00
	VICTIM SERVICES	207,765,237	124.00
PROGRAM: OFFICE OF STATEWIDE PROSECUTION
	PROSECUTION OF MULTI-CIRCUIT ORGANIZED CRIME	13,730,274	95.50
TOTAL		397,944,351	1,478.50

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

2022 Government In The Sunshine Manual, Office of the Attorney General.
Statewide Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report 2021, Office of the Attorney General.
Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs Annual Report 2020-2021, Office of the Attorney General.
2021 Annual Report of the Statewide Prosecutor, Office of the Attorney General.
Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Annual Report, 2021, Office of the Attorney General.
Findings and Recommendations of the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse, April 2020.
Hate Crimes in Florida, January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020, Office of the Attorney General, December, 2021.
Biennial Report of the Attorney General - State of Florida; January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2020, Office of the Attorney General, April 2021.
Criminal Punishment Code Task Force Final Report, June 2020.

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
Website