The Louisiana Department of Justice is a department within the executive branch of state government that advocates for the interests of Louisiana and its people. The LADOJ is headed by the Attorney General, who is Louisiana’s chief legal officer, and contains Administrative Services, Civil, Criminal, Federalism, Gaming, Investigation, Litigation, and Public Protection Divisions.

The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the state and the agency head of the Louisiana Department of Justice, responsible for protecting the rights and interests of Louisiana and its people. The AG holds the highest legal authority in the state’s executive branch and advocates for the state in many ways, like representing the state and its agencies in legal proceedings, reviewing legal contracts, advocating for the state’s rights and interests before federal authorities, and giving legal advice to government agencies and bodies. The AG is elected by Louisiana’s voters.

Unfortunately, because the LADOJ represents the state, it does not give legal advice to private citizens. However, the Louisiana State Bar Association may be able to assist persons in need of legal advice. Their Lawyer Referral Number is 1-800-421-5722; they have local affiliates who may know of others willing to do pro bono work. More information for them can be found at www.lsba.org/public/lawyerreferral.aspx .

Each case presents a unique blend of facts and legal questions. When those questions are new or have significant implications for the state, the Attorney General will either become directly involved in the litigation or assign attorneys to keep a close watch on developments. However, the vast amount of litigation that moves through our courts daily makes it impossible to directly participate in every case. This is why the Constitution grants the AG discretion to determine when and how state resources should be spent in protecting the state’s interests. Fully dedicating the LADOJ to litigation would leave no time or funds to provide the wide range of services our office is required to provide under the law. Additionally, the Constitution does not give the AG original jurisdiction in criminal cases or authority to take a prosecution from a district attorney without cause of recusal by the district attorney.

You may ask the Louisiana Department of Justice for speakers and/or trainers on a variety of issues including Consumer Protection, Open Meetings, Public Records, Dual Officeholding, Ethics, Attorney General Opinions, Public Bid Law, Louisiana Justice Court, Sexual Predator Apprehension, Cyber Crime, Domestic Violence, Insurance Fraud, etc. at www.aglizmurrill.com/trainingsandconferences.

While the Attorney General served as the head of the Department of Justice, their role does expand into high niche areas of the criminal justice system. For example, the LADOJ oversees the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to investigate welfare fraud and neglect. Our office maintains a statewide Sexual Predator Apprehension Team and chairs the Louisiana Sexual Assault Oversight Commission. We oversee the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, which investigates public corruption, financial crimes, and child exploitations while also apprehending fugitives. We also respond to requests for investigative assistance from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as state boards and commissions.

However, the most important thing the average citizen should know about the Attorney General’s office is that we do not have original criminal jurisdiction. That means we must be asked to get in involved in a case by a District Attorney. We do not get to pick and choose which cases we take on, nor do we get to set the larger agenda when it comes to crime. More often than not, we serve as legal advisors when requested, often assisting federal, state, and local agencies in their investigations of criminal matters.

An AG doesn’t serve as legal counsel for individual citizens. Instead, as the State’s chief legal officer, the Attorney General represents the people of Louisiana as a whole. In this way, the AG protects the public interests of the larger community from those who wish to damage, injure, silence, or defraud it.

That means protecting Louisiana’s natural resources, from our coastal marshes to our agricultural fields. It means investigating fraud and other crimes against our most vulnerable, as well as securing justice. And it means educating our citizens so that they can make wise choices based on information they can trust, whether that’s meant to help a loved one escape the toxic maze of opioid addiction or to steer consumers away from other harmful or hazardous products.

To be sure, the role of an AG can be complex. On the one hand, the Attorney General is required to enforce the laws as they are written and ensure compliance; on the other, he or she can advocate for new policy and issue legal opinions as necessary to protect and inform citizens. That’s just one example.

But at the heart of it, the Office of the Attorney General exists to safeguard the freedoms of Louisianans from federal overreach, unconstitutional mandates, and crimes within our State.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is committed to defending the rule of law and protecting the people of our State. As our first Solicitor General, she argued five cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and served as lead counsel in over 35 cases challenging federal overreach, ranging from open border policies and attacks on religious liberty to COVID-19 mandates and First Amendment violations. With more than 30 years experience working in state and federal government, Liz Murrill has been a champion for women, children, and victims demanding justice. Now she is leading the charge in preserving our rights, our industries, and our unique way of life.

Today many policy decisions are ultimately being decided by the courts. That is why it is imperative that Louisiana have a legal champion as Attorney General to fight for our State and our people in this complex arena of the law. AG Liz Murrill has unmatched experience in defending the rule of law, having been in state and federal government for more than 30 years, including eight as Louisiana’s first Solicitor General. She was a United States Supreme Court Judicial Fellow in 2007 and taught appellate advocacy and legal writing at the LSU Law School for twelve years. She has argued five cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and served as lead counsel in over 35 cases challenging federal overreach, ranging from open border policies and attacks on religious liberty to COVID-19 mandates and First Amendment violations. As an eighth-generation Louisianian, there is no one better to fight for our State, our way of life, and the people who rely on our Department of Justice to ensure that justice actually occurs.

If you would like to have the Attorney General attend you next event, you can submit a request at https://www.aglizmurrill.com/scheduling.

An Assistant Attorney General is an attorney appointed by the Attorney General to serve at her pleasure.

In their official capacities, the Attorney General and Assistant Attorneys General represent the state and may not represent private citizens in private legal matters.

Unfortunately, because the LADOJ represents the state, it does not give legal advice to private citizens. However, the Louisiana State Bar Association may be able to assist persons in need of legal advice. Their Lawyer Referral Number is 1-800-421-5722; they have local affiliates who may know of others willing to do pro bono work. More information for them can be found at www.lsba.org/public/lawyerreferral.aspx.

The Solicitor General is the director of the Louisiana Department of Justice’s Federalism Division who is responsible for the appellate work of the state relating to federal litigation, multistate litigation, amicus briefs, and other complex litigation as determined by the Attorney General.

Upon request, the Attorney General provides written legal opinions which are the interpretation of the law as applied to particular facts related to them.

The Attorney General may render written opinions to the governor and other elected and appointed state officers, as required by law on legal questions relating to state law; state departments, state boards, state commissions or state officers upon legal questions pertaining to state law as it relates to their respective public entity; district attorneys on matters of state law as it relates to the duties of their offices; the governing authority of a local political subdivision; and the officers of a local governmental subdivision such as a mayor, a president of a parish home rule form of government, sheriffs, clerks of court, assessors, coroners, or registrars of voters on matters relating to their official duties. The AG only provides legal opinions to private individuals or entities on questions related to dual office holding.

The LBI is the investigatory arm of the Louisiana Department of Justice and contains several specialized law enforcement units, like the Cyber Crime Unit and the Fugitive Apprehension Unit. It is responsible for investigation of alleged violations of criminal laws of the state – including conducting of civil and special investigations, public corruption, institutional and insurance fraud – and executive security.

The Public Protection Division is responsible for consumer protection, antitrust, securities, family violence prevention, and insurance protection.

The Litigation Division is responsible for providing legal representation to the state, state agencies, and state employees in all tort claims seeking damages. It defends claims managed by the Office of Risk Management and by any post-secondary education institution granted an exemption from the state’s risk management program.

The Criminal Division is responsible for criminal appeals, amicus curiae briefs in criminal prosecutions, habeas corpus defense, assistance to district attorneys in criminal cases, criminal prosecution, public corruption, institutional and insurance fraud cases, extraditions, and Medicaid fraud – in accordance with the Louisiana Constitution.

The AG’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is part of the Criminal Division and investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud as well as abuse or neglect of residents in health care facilities and board and care facilities and of Medicaid beneficiaries in noninstitutional or other settings. The MFCU team of investigators, attorneys, and auditors also initiates recovery of identified overpayments.

The Gaming Division is responsible for providing legal representations, services, and staffing to gaming regulatory entities and agencies of the state as provided by law and such other functions and duties, related to gaming, as are assigned by the Attorney General.

The Administrative Services Division is responsible for accounting and budgeting control, procurement and contract management, management and program analysis, data processing, personnel management, grants management for the department, automated systems, and governmental relations.

The Civil Division is responsible for providing a full range of civil legal services. The functions of the civil division include the assertion of any right or interest of the state; legal representation of governmental officers, agencies, boards, or commissions; defense of state statutes; collection of money owed the state, claims on public works; and legal protection of state lands, water bottoms, and natural resources of the state.

The AG’s Collections Section is part of the Civil Division and collects money owed to the state of Louisiana, and its agencies, boards or commissions. It represents a number of Louisiana’s public colleges, universities, technical and community colleges in the collection of unpaid educational related expenses, such as parking tickets, bookstore fees, outstanding semester fees, meal/housing plans, etc.

You may make a payment online at www.aglizmurrill.com/collections or by mail in the form of check, money order, and certified funds to the Louisiana Department of Justice, Post Office Box 94005, Baton Rouge, LA 70804.

You may contact the National Treatment Referral Hotline at 800-662-HELP.

You may drop off unused or expired prescription medications at any of Louisiana’s Drug Take Back Boxes; to find the one nearest you, visit www.endtheepidemicla.org/get-support.

If you or are in a dangerous situation and need resources or someone to talk to, call the Louisiana Coalition against Domestic Violence's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-888-411-1333. If you need immediate help, dial 911.

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It is the exploitation of men, women, and children for forced labor or sex by a third-party for profit or gain.

If the situation is an emergency or you believe someone is in immediate danger, you should call 911 to alert your local law enforcement. In addition to contacting law enforcement, you may call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "Help" or "Info" to 233733.

Housing discrimination is discrimination against home renters and buyers by landlords, sellers, and lenders on account of a person’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (families with children under the age of 18, or who are expecting a child), or disability.

If you suspect an unfair trade practice or are having a consumer-related dispute with a company, you may report it to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-351-4889 or fill out our Online Consumer Dispute Form at www.aglizmurrill.com/Form/Consumer/Dispute.

You may call the free Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-877-770-STOP or chat at www.helpforgambling.org.

If you suspect an unfair trade practice or are having a consumer-related dispute with a company, you may report it to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-351-4889 or fill out our Online Consumer Dispute Form at www.aglizmurrill.com/Form/Consumer/Dispute.

In general, justice of the peace courts are small claims courts in rural areas and in municipalities where there is no city court. Justice of the peace courts resolve minor civil disputes and hear claims that do not exceed $5,000. A claim, generally speaking, asserts a legal right you may have. The ordinary rules of evidence do not apply in justice of the peace court and all relevant and reliable evidence is admissible.

A litigant may choose to utilize the justice of the peace court because it is less costly, less formal, and quicker to resolve civil disputes than going through district court.

Justices of the Peace are not permitted to give legal advice to any party and do not draft legal documents for litigants. Anyone requiring such services should consult an attorney licensed to practice law in Louisiana.

You may find more information on Justice of the Peace Courts in the LDOJ’s “A Guide to Louisiana Justice of the Peace Courts” found here.

The LADOJ provides education and training to all justices of the peace and constables in Louisiana. This is accomplished through various methods, including providing training to newly elected justices of the peace and constables, hosting training classes throughout the year, and providing training and educational support to justices of the peace. The LADOJ also has legal liaisons to assist justice of the peace and constables with general legal questions and other special inquiries. The justice of the peace and constable legal liaisons do not give specific advice on how to rule on a particular case or matter pending before a justice of the peace court. These matters are for the justices of the peace or constables to decide.

No, the LADOJ does not have jurisdiction over complaints against justices of the peace or constables. Justices of the peace are considered judges and are subject to the rules of judicial ethics contained in the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Louisiana Constitution. As such, complaints against justices of the peace should be directed to the Judiciary Commission. You can find more information related to filing a complaint against a judge on the Judiciary Commission’s website: www.judiciarycommissionla.org. Complaints against constables may be directed to the local District Attorney’s Office.

No, justices of the peace are elected officials and have the sole decision-making authority within their court.

You may submit an Open Meetings Law complaint to the LADOJ by fax to 225-326-6098 or by mail to Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, ATTN: Civil Division, P.O. Box 94005, Baton Rouge, LA 70804. Complaints must be in the form of a signed, written complaint and must include the date of the meeting(s), the name of public body that held the meeting(s), and a detailed description of what occurred at the meeting(s) in question. If possible, provide the agenda, minutes, and/or any recording of the meeting at issue.

A bidder may always file suit to force a public body to comply with the Public Bid Law. Notice to the Attorney General is not necessary in these instances. Additionally, any person, association, corporation, or other business entity with direct knowledge of an alleged violation may institute civil actions against a public entity to deter the construction of public works or the purchase of materials and supplies in violation of Louisiana Public Bid Law (La. R.S. 38:2211, et seq.). Such legal action must be initiated promptly when knowledge of the alleged violation is available and after giving notice to the Attorney General. Finally, the District Attorney and the Attorney General are given surveillance authority and may investigate alleged violations when a public bid law complaint is filed with the LADOJ.

Any person, association, corporation, or other business entity (usually a bidder) can file a public bid law complaint with the LADOJ, which then investigates the complaint to determine if there was a violation of the law. In these instances, private citizens and other entities are referred to as complainants. The Attorney General maintains the confidentiality of all information provided to his office by the complainant. The complainant shall not be subject to dismissal, suspension, or any other form of disciplinary action by an employer solely for providing information to the Attorney General, unless the civil action is found by a court to be frivolous.

You must send the complaint containing all direct information possessed via certified mail, return receipt requested, within fifteen days from the date of discovery of the alleged violation to Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, ATTN: Civil Division, P.O. Box 94005, Baton Rouge, LA 70804. A complaint should include the name of the public entity alleged to have violated the public bid law, the date of the violation(s), and any other information relevant for the LADOJ to determine if a violation has occurred.