Michigan Department of Attorney General

Attorney General of the State of Michigan
Incumbent Bill Schuette since January 1, 2011
Michigan Department of Attorney General
Style	The Honorable
Residence	Private
Appointer	Popular Election
Term length	4 Years, Renewable Once
Inaugural holder	Daniel LeRoy
Formation	1837
Website	www.michigan.gov/ag

The Attorney General of Michigan is the fourth-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. The officeholder is elected statewide in the November general election alongside the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives.

Since the Michigan Constitution of 1963 was adopted, the attorney general has served a term of four years. The officeholder is also limited to two terms, for a total of eight possible years of service; ten possible years of service if the officeholder serves two full terms and less than half of one term as a replacement. Until 1950, the attorney general was appointed by the governor.

Inasmuch as the office of Attorney General has common law powers as the chief law enforcement officer of the State, he may exercise the powers of a peace officer and may appoint special agents having this status to assist him in enforcing his powers and carrying out his functions (AG Opinion No. 5236,10/20/1977).

Michigan law, MCL 14.32, provides that "[i]t shall be the duty of the attorney general, when required, to give his opinion upon all questions of law submitted to him by the legislature, or by either branch thereof, or by the governor, auditor general, treasurer or any other state officer . . . ."

Michigan's current attorney general is Bill Schuette, who was elected in November, 2010, and sworn into office on January 1, 2011.

The attorney general traditionally receives the courtesy title of The Honorable (abbreviated to Hon. or Hon'ble) for life.

Source: Michigan Manual 2003-2004, Chapter IV, Former Officials of Michigan