Maryland Attorney General

{{short description|Attorney general for Maryland, U.S.}} {{More citations needed|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox Political post |post = Attorney General |body = <br>the State of Maryland |flag = Flag of Maryland.svg |flagsize = 120px |flagcaption = Flag of the State of Maryland |insignia = Seal of Maryland.svg |insigniasize = 110px |insigniacaption = Great Seal of the State of Maryland |image = Anthony G. Brown (November 2023).jpg |incumbent = Anthony Brown |incumbentsince = January 3, 2023 |style = The Honorable |termlength = Four years, no term limit |salary = |formation = Maryland Constitution of 1776 (originally)<br />Maryland Constitution of 1864 (most recently) |inaugural = James Tilghman<br>1777 |website = [http://oag.maryland.gov/ oag.maryland.gov] }} The '''Attorney General of the State of Maryland''' is the chief legal officer of the U.S. state of Maryland, serving as the state's primary prosecutor and legal representative.<ref name="Constitution">{{Cite web |title=Article V. Constitution of Maryland |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/05art5.html |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref>

The current attorney general is Anthony Brown, who was elected in 2022 and has served since 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maryland State Board of Elections |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_3.html |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=elections.maryland.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Attorney General |url=https://oag.maryland.gov/our-office/Pages/about-the-attorney-general.aspx |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=oag.maryland.gov}}</ref>

== Selection and qualifications == Like most state attorneys general, the attorney general is elected by statewide vote every four years. The officeholder serves a four-year term and is eligible for re-election with no term limits.<ref name=Constitution/> As with all statewide offices in Maryland, the attorney general is elected on even-numbered years when there is no election for the president of the United States.

To run for the office, a person must be a citizen of and qualified voter in Maryland and must have lived and practiced law in the state for at least ten years. If the office becomes vacant, the Governor appoints a replacement to serve the remainder of the term.<ref name=Constitution/>

== Functions and responsibilities == The attorney general has general charge, supervision and direction of the legal business of the State. The main constitutional duties of the attorney general are to enforce the rule of law and to provide legal counsel and representation to the state of Maryland.

The attorney general is the legal advisor and representative of the governor, the General Assembly, the judiciary, and all state departments, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of state government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maryland State Government |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/mdgovt.html#executive |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref> Notably, the governor cannot employ additional legal counsel without legislative authorization.<ref name=Constitution/>

The office consists of fourteen Central Divisions and fifty-six state agency client units. The office provides written legal opinions interpreting state law to the General Assembly, the governor, and other state and local elected officials. Administrative rules and regulations promulgated by state agencies, and bills passed by the General Assembly, are reviewed by the office and defended in court when necessary.<ref name="About">{{Cite web |title=About the Office of the Attorney General |url=https://oag.maryland.gov/our-office/Pages/default.aspx |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=oag.maryland.gov}}</ref>

===Litigation=== The attorney general and assistant attorneys general represent the state of Maryland in all legal cases. This includes representing the state before the Maryland Circuit Courts, the Appellate Court of Maryland, the Supreme Court of Maryland, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and in the United States Supreme Court.<ref name=Constitution/>

The attorney general represents state agencies, officials, and employees in civil lawsuits and defends the constitutionality of state laws when challenged.

===Law enforcement=== The attorney general is charged with the enforcement of various laws and to investigate and prosecute a broad range of criminal acts occurring against and within state government.

====Criminal Division==== The Criminal Division investigates and prosecutes crimes by state employees, fraud against the state, public corruption, gun trafficking, and organized or multi-jurisdictional crimes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Criminal Division |url=https://oag.maryland.gov/our-office/Pages/criminal-division.aspx |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=oag.maryland.gov}}</ref>

====Independent Investigations Division==== Established by the General Assembly in 2021, the Independent Investigations Division investigates police-involved deaths or critical injuries that occur in Maryland. Since October 1, 2023, the Division has the authority to prosecute involved law enforcement officers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Independent Investigations Division |url=https://oag.maryland.gov/resources-info/Pages/independent-investigations-division.aspx |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=oag.maryland.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brown announces indictment of two Anne Arundel police officers after fatal 2023 crash |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2024/12/09/brown-announces-indictment-of-two-anne-arundel-police-officers-after-fatal-crash-in-2023/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=marylandmatters.org}}</ref>

====Support to local prosecutors==== The attorney general is charged with providing assistance to local state's attorneys when they require additional resources or specialized expertise, or when directed by the governor or General Assembly.<ref name=Constitution/>

===Consumer and public protection=== ====Consumer Protection Division==== The Consumer Protection Division offers mediation between complainants and businesses, investigates and prosecutes illegal business practices, and registers home builders and health clubs. The division also provides educational materials for Maryland residents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Consumer Protection Division |url=https://oag.maryland.gov/our-office/Pages/consumer-protection-division.aspx |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=oag.maryland.gov}}</ref>

The attorney general may bring an action to restrain a foreign limited liability company from doing business in this state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Maryland Statutes :: Corporations and Associations :: Title 4A – Limited Liability Company Act :: Subtitle 10 – Foreign Limited Liability Companies :: Section 4A-1008 – Action by Attorney General |url=https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2020/corporations-and-associations/title-4a/subtitle-10/section-4a-1008/ |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Justia Law |language=en}}</ref> The attorney general may obtain a court order prohibiting the guarantor or service contract provider from further violations in this state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Maryland Statutes :: Commercial Law :: Title 14 – Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions :: Subtitle 4 – Maryland Service Contracts and Consumer Products Guaranty Act |url=https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2020/commercial-law/title-14/subtitle-4/ |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Justia Law |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Maryland Statutes :: Commercial Law :: Title 14 – Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions :: Subtitle 4 – Maryland Service Contracts and Consumer Products Guaranty Act :: Section 14-406 – Action by Attorney General |url=https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2020/commercial-law/title-14/subtitle-4/section-14-406/ |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Justia Law |language=en}}</ref>

====Securities and investment protection==== The Securities Division protects Maryland investors from fraud, and administers the Maryland Securities Act, Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, and Business Opportunities Sales Act.<ref name=About/>

====Healthcare fraud prevention==== The Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit investigates and prosecutes healthcare provider Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse.<ref name=About/>

===Board and commission memberships=== By law, the attorney general, or his or her designee, serves on the School Safety Subcabinet and chairs the Maryland Cybersecurity Council, the Commission on Hate Crimes Response and Prevention, and the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maryland School Safety Subcabinet |url=https://www.umgc.edu/administration/leadership-and-governance/boards-and-committees/maryland-cybersecurity-council |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=umgc.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maryland Cybersecurity Council |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/cabinet/html/school.html |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=msa.maryland.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention |url=https://nohomeforhate.md.gov/pages/commission |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=nohomeforhate.md.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy & Funding Committee |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/26excom/html/32sexassaultevid.html |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=msa.maryland.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==List of Maryland attorneys general== === Colonial period === {{anchor|List of the colonial Attorneys General of Maryland}} {| class="wikitable" |+Colonial attorneys general of Maryland<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maryland Attorneys General, 1657- |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/speccol/sc2600/sc2685/html/attygen1.html |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=msa.maryland.gov}}</ref> !Image !Name !Term !Home |- | |Lt. Richard Smith, Sr. |1657–1660/61 |Calvert County |- | |Capt. Thomas Manning |1660/61–1666 |Calvert County |- | |Col. William Calvert |1666–1670 |St. Mary's City |- | |Col. Vincent Lowe |1670–1676 |Talbot County |- | |Kenelm Cheseldyne |1676–1681 |St. Mary's City |- | |Thomas Burford |1681–1686/87 |Charles County |- | |Robert Carvile |1688 |St. Mary's City |- |frameless|133x133px |Charles Carroll |1688–1689 |St. Mary's City & Anne Arundel County |- | |Col. George Plater, I |1691–1692 |St. Mary's County |- | |Edward Wynn |1692 |St. Mary's County |- | |Col. George Plater, I |1692–1698 |St. Mary's County |- | |Maj. William Dent |1698–1704 |Charles County |- | |Col. William Bladen |1704–1718 |Annapolis |- |frameless|121x121px |Thomas Bordley |1718–1721 |Annapolis |- |frameless|122x122px |Daniel Dulany, Sr. |1721–1725 |Annapolis |- | |Michael Howard |1725–1734 |Talbot County |- | |Daniel Dulany, Sr. |1734–1744 |Annapolis |- |frameless|122x122px |Henry Darnall, III |1744–1756 |Prince George's County |- |frameless|119x119px |Stephen Bordley |1756–1763 |Annapolis |- | |Edmund Key |1764–1766 |Annapolis |- | |Robert Goldsborough, II |1766–1768 |Dorchester County |- |frameless|143x143px |Thomas Jennings |1768–1776 |Annapolis |}

=== Modern attorneys general === {{anchor|List of the attorneys general of Maryland}} {| class=wikitable |+ Modern attorneys general of Maryland !Image!!Name!!From!!To!!Party!!Law school |- | |James Tilghman||1777||1778|| |- |60px |Luther Martin||1778||1805|| |-{{Party shading/Democratic-Republican}} |60px |William Pinkney||1805||1806|| Democratic-Republican |- | |John Thomson Mason||1806||1806|| |- | |John Johnson, Sr.||1806||1811|| |-{{Party shading/Democratic-Republican}} | |John Montgomery||1811||1818|| Democratic-Republican |- |60px |Luther Martin||1818||1822|| |-{{Party shading/Democratic-Republican}} |60px |Thomas Beale Dorsey||1822||1824|| Democratic-Republican |- | |Thomas Kell||1824||1827|| |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Roger B. Taney||1827||1831||Democratic |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Josiah Bayly||1831||1846|| |- | |George R. Richardson||1846||1851|| |-{{party shading/Whig}} | |Robert J. Brent||1851||1864||Whig |-{{party shading/Whig}} |60px |Alexander Randall||1864||1867||Whig |-{{party shading/Whig}} |60px |Isaac Dashiell Jones||1867||1871||Whig |-{{party shading/Whig}} |60px |Andrew K. Syester||1871||1875||Whig |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Charles J. M. Gwinn||1875||1883||Democratic |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Charles Boyle Roberts||1883||1887||Democratic |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |William Pinkney Whyte||1887||1891||Democratic||Harvard Law School |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |John Prentiss Poe||1891||1895||Democratic |-{{party shading/Republican}} |60px |Harry M. Clabaugh||1895||1899||Republican||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{party shading/Republican}} |60px |George Riggs Gaither Jr.||1899||1899||Republican |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Isidor Rayner||1899||1903||Democratic||University of Virginia School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |William Shepard Bryan Jr.||1903||1907||Democratic||University of Virginia School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Isaac Lobe Straus||1907||1911||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Edgar Allan Poe||1911||1915||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Albert Ritchie||1915||1919||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |Ogle Marbury (acting)||1918||1919|| Democrat||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{party shading/Republican}} |60px |Alexander Armstrong||1919||1923||Republican||University of Pennsylvania Law School |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Thomas H. Robinson||1923||1930||Democratic|| |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |William Preston Lane Jr.||1930||1934||Democratic||University of Virginia School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Herbert O'Conor||1934||1938||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |William C. Walsh||1938||1945||Democratic||Catholic University School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |William Curran||1945||1946||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |Hall Hammond||1946||1952||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{party shading/Republican}} | |Edward D. E. Rollins||1952||1954||Republican||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |C. Ferdinand Sybert||1954||1961||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |Thomas B. Finan||1961||1966||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |Robert C. Murphy||1966||1966||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |Francis B. Burch||1966||1978||Democratic||Yale Law School |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |Jon F. Oster||1979||1979||Democratic||University of Maryland School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |George A. Nilson||1979||1979||Democratic||Yale Law School |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} | |Stephen H. Sachs||1979||1987||Democratic||Yale Law School |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |J. Joseph Curran Jr.||1987||2007||Democratic||University of Baltimore School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Doug Gansler||2007||2015||Democratic||University of Virginia School of Law |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Brian Frosh||2015||2023||Democratic||Columbia Law School |-{{Party shading/Democratic}} |60px |Anthony Brown||2023|| ||Democratic||Harvard Law School |}

==See also== *Government of Maryland *Law of Maryland

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == * [http://oag.maryland.gov/ Maryland Attorney General] official website * [http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/speccol/sc2600/sc2685/html/attygen.html About the office and list of Attorneys General of Maryland, from the Maryland Archives.] * [http://www.abajournal.com/search/results/search&keywords=Maryland+Attorney+General/ Maryland Attorney General] articles at ''ABA Journal'' * [http://public.findlaw.com/LCsearch.html?restrict=consumer&entry=%22Maryland+Attorney+General%22 News and Commentary] at FindLaw * [http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/ Maryland Code] at Law.Justia.com * [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&navby=title&v1=State+of+Maryland U.S. Supreme Court Opinions – "Cases with title containing: State of Maryland"] at FindLaw * [http://www.msba.org/ Maryland State Bar Association] * [https://www.naag.org/attorney-general/anthony-brown/ Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brownoa profile] at National Association of Attorneys General * [https://oag.maryland.gov/News/Pages/news.aspx Press releases] at Maryland Attorney General

Category:Maryland attorneys general Category:Maryland law-related lists