• The Consumer Protection Section helps Ohioans victimized by predatory and illegal business practices such as robocall scams, false advertising and shoddy workmanship. This work includes inducing businesses to resolve complaints and arming consumers with knowledge.
• Crime Victim Services aids survivors by offering compensation, victim-notification and other programs; trainings for professionals who work with victims; grants for assistance providers; and crime prevention programs for Ohio communities. A special unit focuses on ending human trafficking.
• Among other tasks, the Health Care Fraud Section investigates patient abuse and neglect in Ohio’s care facilities, as well as fraud in the industry, which raises prices for patients.
• Constituent Services runs the Attorney General’s Help Center, which connects Ohioans to the section of the office best suited to take care of their problems.

• The Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy provides training in basic, advanced and technical subjects to help law enforcement officers be their best. The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission improves officers’ professional capabilities through the oversight of basic training.
• The Bureau of Criminal Investigation supports police departments and county sheriffs via evidence analysis, investigative aid, identification and background check services, the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway and a repository for criminal records statewide.
• The Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission oversees task forces that target complex crime operations — drug dealing and human trafficking, for example. The task forces, made up largely of local officers, receive wider jurisdiction, subpoena powers, operational help and funding.
• The Special Prosecutions Section offers prosecutors support and resources. By request, AGO attorneys can serve as prosecutors in cases in which a conflict of interest exists or in cases that require specialized knowledge or greater resources.
• The Criminal Justice Section works to uphold death sentences, which can require years of litigation in federal courts, and works to keep dangerous criminals in prison by opposing litigation intended to overturn valid convictions.

• In an effort to ensure fair operation of government, multiple Sunshine Law initiatives help Ohio residents understand their rights and public officials understand their responsibilities under the state’s Public Records and Open Meetings laws.
• The Antitrust Section fosters competition in the marketplace and fights monopolies so that Ohioans can count on fair business practices, competitive prices and smart spending of their tax dollars.
• The Environmental Enforcement Section works with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and other partners to ensure that bad actors don’t trash the land that we — and future generations — depend on.
• Charities fulfill a critical role, meeting needs that the market and the government do not. The Charitable Law Section ensures trust in the sector through transparency and accountability, and it levels the playing field for all charities by enforcing consistent standards and holding bad actors accountable.

Many sections of the Attorney General’s Office exist to help state offices and agencies by representing them in legal matters, offering expert advice and guidance, and providing additional services. Those sections:

• Civil Rights represents the Ohio Civil Rights Commission in its mission to protect equal opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination. 
• Collections Enforcement collects outstanding debt owed to state agencies, institutions, boards, commissions, public universities and hospitals, and local governmental entities.
• Constitutional Offices serves as legal counsel to the Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer and Attorney General, as well as the General Assembly and certain branches of the judiciary.
• Court of Claims Defense defends cases filed against the state in the Ohio Court of Claims and handles appeals of those cases.
• Criminal Justice, through its Corrections Unit, represents the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and Department of Youth Services against lawsuits brought by inmates.
• Education represents Ohio’s 14 universities and 23 two-year community colleges and technical colleges.
• Employment Law provides legal advice and representation regarding an array of employment matters to all state departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions, elected officials and public colleges and universities. The section also represents those entities and others in Workers’ Compensation matters.
• Environmental Enforcement represents Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting and Division of Soil and Water Conservation, among other agencies that safeguard the state’s natural resources.
• Executive Agencies provides counsel to seven cabinet agencies and more than 80 state boards and commissions.
• Health & Human Services represents agencies in the health care, licensing and public benefit areas, such as the Departments of Department of Health, Medicaid and Job and Family Services.
• The Office of the Solicitor General represents Ohio and its agencies on appeals in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Ohio Supreme Court and other state and federal courts.
• Public Utilities represents the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio as well as the Power Siting Board, which reviews plans for new energy facilities.
• Taxation represents the Tax Commissioner of Ohio, who is charged with administering and enforcing most of the state income tax, state sales and use taxes, and several business and excise taxes.
• Workers’ Compensation provides legal counsel and advice to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the Industrial Commission of Ohio.

• WebCheck locations: Many public and private employers — including schools, child care centers and health care facilities — require job applicants to submit to a background check. Through WebCheck, agencies transmit fingerprints and other data electronically to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which performs background checks.
• Concealed carry: The Attorney General’s Office maintains up-to-date information to help Ohioans fulfill the requirements of the state’s concealed handgun licensing law and identifies which states honor Ohio’s license.
• BCI collects information from law enforcement agencies and coroners throughout Ohio on open cases involving homicides, missing persons and unidentified human remains. Those databases can be accessed through this website:
  • Missing Persons
  • Ohio Unsolved Homicides
  • Ohio Unidentified Remains
• Sex offender search: To help families feel safe in their neighborhoods, the Attorney General’s Office provides access to the state registry that tracks where convicted sex offenders live. Users search by address, such as that of your home or your child’s school.
• File a complaint: Ohioans can tap the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section for help resolving issues and concerns. To reports tips and scams, visit this webpage.
• Charity check: Charities operating in Ohio are required to file a one-time registration with the Attorney General’s Office and submit annual reports. The AGO compiles those reports into a database that Ohioans can check to verify that a charity requesting donations is legitimate.
• Consumer Protection lawsuit search: This tool, which lists businesses and individuals sued by the Attorney General’s Office for violating the state’s consumer protection laws, helps Ohioans steer clear of hiring bad actors.
• Newsletter signup: The Attorney General’s Office produces multiple newsletters packed with tips and information to help Ohioans protect themselves, know their rights and remain aware of what’s happening in their state. Newsletters include Consumer Advocate, Nonprofit News, On the Job and Open Book.