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About
the Office of the Maryland Attorney General
THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL
The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State. The
Attorney General's Office has general charge, supervision and direction
of the legal business of the State, acting as legal advisors and
representatives of the major departments, various boards, commissions,
officials and institutions of State Government. The Office further
represents the State in all cases pending in the Appellate Courts
of the State, and in the U.S. Supreme Court and lower Federal Courts.
The
Attorney General is elected by vote every four years, not term-limited,
and must be a citizen of the State, a qualified voter, and have
practiced law in Maryland within 10 years.
Here
is a historical
list of Maryland Attorneys General from the
Maryland Archives.
THE
OFFICE STRUCTURE
The Office is comprised of several divisions to best serve the State
and its citizens, including:
- The
Antitrust Division enforces the Maryland Antitrust Act in
order to foster fair and honest competition in the State of Maryland.
In addition, the Division may represent the State and all Maryland
political subdivisions in damage actions brought under federal
and state antitrust statutes.
- The
Civil Litigation Division handles major litigation in
which the State, its agencies, or officers, is a party. This includes
defending the State and State employees in State and federal trial
and appellate courts as well as filing suits on behalf of the
State.
- The
Consumer Protection Division
provides a mediation and arbitration service to consumers to
help resolve complaints against businesses and health insurance
carriers; registers health clubs and new home builders; and produces
a wide array of consumer education materials.
- The
Contract Litigation Division represents State agencies
in litigation over disputes relating to State contracts and the
award of State contracts under the State General Procurement Law.
The Division also provides advice regarding a variety of procurement
issues.
- The
Correctional Litigation Division provides legal representation
for State officials and correctional employees who are sued by
prisoners in federal and State courts for acts arising within
the scope of their performance of their duties. Similarly, the
CLD provides legal representation for the 24 Maryland State's
Attorneys and their assistants who are sued by any party challenging
their actions within the scope of their employment.
- The
Courts & Judicial Affairs Division represents
and advises the Judicial Branch of State Government. In addition,
the Division represents select independent agencies, such
as the Maryland Tax Court and the Office of Administrative
Hearings.
- The
Criminal Appeals Division represents the State in all
criminal matters in the appellate courts of Maryland and in the
Federal courts at all levels. The Division also offers advice
and counsel to the State's Attorneys' offices in Maryland as well
as other State agencies, and reviews legislation relating to criminal
law for constitutionality and legal sufficiency.
- The
Criminal Investigations Division investigates and prosecutes
a broad range of criminal activity occurring against and within
State government, including cases involving theft, fraudulent
misappropriation by a fiduciary, misconduct in office, bribery,
perjury, falsifications of public records, and criminal violations
of the Maryland tax laws. In addition, the Division investigates
and prosecutes white collar crime, health care fraud, gun trafficking,
insurance fraud, and multi-jurisdictional crimes.
- The
Educational Affairs Division is the legal advisor to
all State educational institutions, boards and commissions.
- The
Securities Division protects
Maryland investors from investment fraud and misrepresentation.
Other
specialized units of the Office include:
- The
Environmental Crimes Unit, comprised of criminal prosecutors
from the Attorney General's Office and investigators from the
Maryland State Police, investigates and prosecutes environmental
crimes.
- Health
Decisions Policy develops resources for individuals
and health care professionals concerning Maryland's Health
Care
Decisions Act and related law.
- The
Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit originated
in October 2002 as the Office of the Independent Juvenile
Justice Monitor
within the Office for Children, Youth, and Families (Chapter
255, Acts of 2002). In February 2006, the Office of the Independent
Juvenile Justice Monitor transferred to the Office of Attorney
General, and was renamed the Juvenile Justice Monitoring
Unit (Chapter 12, Acts of 2006).
The Unit investigates the needs of children under the jurisdiction
of the Department of Juvenile Services and determines whether
their needs are being met in compliance with State law. This
includes evaluting conditions of facilities housing youth,
reporting on treatment of and services to youth, and investigating
allegations of child abuse.
- The
Medicaid Fraud Control Unit program investigates and
prosecutes provider fraud in statewide Medicaid programs.
- Opinions
and Advice gives legal opinions as to the construction
or interpretation of the law as it affects various agencies of
the State and gives legal opinions to local subdivisions on questions
involving substantial statewide interest.
- The
People's Insurance Counsel Division reviews homeowners
insurance matters and medical professional liability insurance
matters pending before the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to
determine the impact on consumers. The People's Insurance Counsel
may intervene on behalf of consumers before the Commissioner
and in court.
The
Office also is the legal adviser to virtually every agency in each
of the three branches of State Government, including:
Aging,
Department of
Agriculture, Department of
Assessments & Taxation, Department of
Automobile Insurance Fund
Budget and Management, Department of
Business and Economic Development, Department of
Comptroller of the Treasury
Energy Administration
Environment, Department of
Environmental Services, Maryland
Food Center Authority
General Assembly
General Services, Department of
Governor's Office for Children, Youth & Families
Health & Mental Hygiene, Department of
Health Services Cost Review Commission
Higher Education Commission
Highway Administration
Housing & Community Development, Department of
Human Resources, Department of
Insurance Administration
Juvenile Justice, Department of
Labor, Licensing & Regulation, Department of
Lottery Agency
Maryland Environmental Service
Maryland
Food Center Authority
Maryland State Department of Education
Maryland State Police
Motor Vehicle Administration
Natural Resources, Department of
Planning, Department of
Port Administration
Public Finance
Public Safety & Correctional Services, Department of
Public Works, Board of
Retirement and Pension System
Stadium Authority
State Treasurer
Subsequent Injury Fund
Transportation, Department of
Transportation Authority
Uninsured Employers' Fund
OFFICE
LOCATIONS
Baltimore
Metro Area
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Main number: (410) 576-6300 / toll-free: 1 (888) 743-0023
Western
Maryland - Consumer Protection Division office
44 North Potomac Street, Suite 104
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 791-4780
Eastern
Shore - Consumer Protection Division office
District Court, 201 Baptist Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 713-3620
Southern
Maryland Consumer Protection Division office
15045 Burnt Store Road
Hughesville, MD 20637
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 745
Hughesville, MD 20637
301-274-4620 or toll-free 1-866-366-8343
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.,Tuesdays
Telephone
Assistance
Cumberland
(301) 722-2000
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of the month
Frederick
(301) 600-1071
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month |
