Office of the Maine Attorney General – Augusta, ME

About the Office of the Maine Attorney General

The Office of the Maine Attorney General (OAG) acts as the chief legal counsel for the State of Maine. Located in the Burton M. Cross Building (often referred to as the Cross State Office Building) in Augusta, this institution is responsible for a wide array of legal and public protection services. The Attorney General is Maine’s chief law enforcement officer, representing the state in civil actions, prosecuting homicides, and providing legal advice to the Governor, Legislature, and state agencies.

Key Divisions and Responsibilities

The office is organized into several specialized divisions, each handling critical aspects of state law:

• Criminal Division: This division has exclusive jurisdiction over the prosecution of all homicides in the state. It also handles drug task force cases, financial crimes, and public corruption investigations.
• Consumer Protection Division: A primary resource for the public, this division enforces Maine’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. It operates a Consumer Mediation Service that helps resolve disputes between consumers and businesses on a voluntary basis.
• Litigation Division: Defends the state, its employees, and agencies in civil lawsuits, including torts and civil rights claims.
• Child Protection Division: Represents the Department of Health and Human Services in child protective custody cases.
• Civil Rights Team Project: Works with schools to combat bias and harassment.

Public Services and Mediation

While the Attorney General’s Office cannot provide private legal advice to individuals, it offers significant support through its mediation programs. The Consumer Information and Mediation Service accepts complaints regarding businesses, ‘Lemon Law’ arbitration for defective vehicles, and antitrust issues. The office also oversees the registration of public charities and professional solicitors operating within Maine.

Security and Visiting Policies

The Office of the Attorney General is located within the Burton M. Cross Building, which shares a campus with the Maine State House. Visitors must enter through the designated public entrances and should be prepared for airport-style security screening. This includes walking through metal detectors and submitting bags for X-ray inspection. A valid government-issued ID is required for entry. Prohibited items include weapons of any kind (firearms, knives, pepper spray) and tools.