Office of the Attorney General
The Office of the Attorney General lies within the Tribe’s Department of Justice, both of which are established in Cherokee Code (C.C.) Chapter 114. The Office of the Attorney General is the primary legal resource for the Tribe. The attorneys in the AG’s office provide legal analysis, advice and legal support to all Tribal programs and entities that request assistance. The attorneys work collaboratively with each other and other Tribal Government programs and entities to develop laws, policies and procedures, and to administer special projects. The Office of the Attorney General is the Tribe’s agent for legal service in litigation against the Tribe and its legal entities and defends the Tribe and its entities in lawsuits brought against them. The Office of the Attorney General provides the most cost-effective legal service for the Tribe as a whole.
By ordinance or by virtue of the Tribe’s organizational chart, the Office of the Attorney General has responsibility for the following offices:
- Civil Law Division (also known as the AG’s Office).
- Criminal Law Division (also known as the Prosecutor’s Office).
- Legal Assistance Office (LAO).
- Family Safety Program attorney.
- Tribal Realty Services Office.
- Survey Office.
- GIS Office.
- Enrollment Office.
All of these divisions and offices have their own directors or managers. As of September 30, 2018, the director of the Office of the Attorney General is Michael W. McConnell, Interim Attorney General.