Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

State Executive Offices Chapter Two
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Constitution provides: The attorney general is an officer in the executive department; to qualify as
attorney general, a person must be a qualified voter; twenty-one years old, and elected by the people
(Articles V, VII).
Term: Four years Statutory Salary: $114,288
Mike Hatch
(Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
102 State Capitol, St. Paul 55155
(651)296-6196
Web site: www.ag.state.mn.us
E-mail: attorney.general@state.mn.us
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN MINNESOTA
Elected: 1998, 2002 Term expires: January, 2007
Chief Deputy Attorney General: Kristine Eiden
Solicitor General: Lori Swanson
Deputy Attorney General: Mike Vanselow
Deputy Attorney General: Ken Peterson
The attorney general is the chief legal officer for the state and is the legal advisor to the governor
and all of the constitutional officers. The attorney general’s duties arise from the Minnesota
Constitution, state statutes, and common law. Every board, commission, and agency of the state
receives its legal counsel and representation from the attorney general. The attorney general is also
permitted to act in a parens patriae capacity to act on behalf of the people.
The attorney general has authority to initiate legal actions for the enforcement of the civil laws of
the state, the preservation of order and the protection of public rights. The office regularly provides
legal assistance to local officials, such as county attorneys, city attorneys, and sheriffs, in their
efforts to enforce laws. The attorney general has a public protection division, which may petition
for the civil commitment of sex offenders or prosecute criminal cases at the request of local
prosecutors. The attorney general also has a criminal appeals division, which represents county
attorneys with regard to criminal appeals. The office also serves as the state’s principal consumer
advocate through specialized divisions focused on consumer protection, health care, charities
oversight, antitrust enforcement, and utilities regulation.
As a statewide elected official, the attorney general also serves as the people’s attorney, advocating
a wide range of policy initiatives and legal reforms to protect Minnesotans and enhance their
quality of life. The office has approximately 20 divisions which specialize in fields such as
criminal, health, finance, labor, transportation, commerce, antitrust, consumer, human services,
agriculture, environment, utilities, public safety, and occupational licensing.
The attorney is also a member of the State Executive Council, the State Board of Investment, and
the Land Exchange Board.
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Chapter
Two
State Executive Offices