Attorney General of Ohio

Attorney General of Ohio
Seal of the Attorney General of Ohio
Incumbent Mike DeWine since January 10, 2011
Ohio Department of Justice
Style	The Honorable
Term length	Four years, two term limit
Inaugural holder	Henry Stanbery 1846
Formation	Ohio Constitution
Salary	$109,554
Website	Office of the Attorney General

The Ohio Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Ohio in the United States. The office is filled by general election, held every four years. The current^[update] Ohio Attorney General is Mike DeWine.

The office of the Attorney General was first created by the Ohio General Assembly by statute in 1846. The attorney general's principal duties were to give legal advice to the state government, to represent the state in legal matters, and to advise the state's county prosecutors. Originally, the attorney general was appointed by the legislature. With the adoption of Ohio's second constitution in 1851, the attorney general became an elected office. The attorney general's duties were drawn very generally at that time.

In 1952, the General Assembly passed a statute that added to the attorney general's responsibilities, including trusteeship over charitable trusts, and legal advice to more government agencies. The act stated that the attorney general could prosecute individuals only if the governor requested so in writing. Starting in 1954, the term of office was increased from two years to four years.

In 2008 Nancy H. Rogers was appointed following the resignation of Marc Dann. A special election was held in 2008 to find a permanent replacement; then–Ohio State Treasurer Richard Cordray (D) beat out Michael Crites (R), and Robert M. Owens (I) for the position.