Florida Office of the Attorney General
Department of Legal Affairs

The Division's primary focus is the enforcement of state and federal antitrust and Consumer Protection laws through civil investigations and litigation under authority granted the Attorney General pursuant to Chapter 501 and 542, Florida Statutes. The Division focuses on entities engaging in anticompetitive, unconscionable, deceptive or unfair business practices. By enforcing the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and preserve competition by reviewing proposed mergers and acquisitions that may adversely affect Floridians. Additionally, the Division provides antitrust counsel for the State and its agencies and serves as a competition advocate in that role. The Division also partners with other state attorneys general as well as state and federal agencies in joint enforcement efforts. In addition, the Division enforces manufacturer and dealer compliance with Florida’s motor vehicle “Lemon Law” and provides a forum for dispute resolution.

Provides legal services required by a State Agency/Department in the State of Florida through contracts with said agencies. These services include, but are not limited to, legal representation in the Division of Administrative Hearings, Circuit Court, Appellate Courts, and provide a full range of general counsel services for the agencies in the State of Florida. The Civil Legal Services Division provides quality legal services to all agencies and boards to ensure the interests of the State and its taxpayers are served in the legal arena.

Child Support Enforcement, represents the Department of Revenue in 12 Counties. Services include some of the following services, Establishment of Paternity, Establishment of Support, Establishment of Paternity and Support, Enforcement of Child Support Obligations and Modification of Child Support Obligations.

Revenue Litigation, represents the Florida Department of Revenue and the State in contested tax assessments, refund claims, and other matters involving the administration of Florida’s tax laws.

Ethics, provides attorneys who serve as the Ethics Commission’s prosecutors or advocates. under Ch. 120, Florida Statutes.

Represents the State, its agencies, officers, employees, and agents, at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal courts. The Attorney General also has common law duties and responsibilities to protect the public's interest which are assigned to the Division. The Division represents the state in class action civil lawsuits and handles civil actions which include administrative, bankruptcy, corrections, eminent domain, employment, forfeitures, foreclosures, state programs, and tort litigations.

Represents and defends State prosecutions in all criminal appeals in the six state courts of appeal, the Florida Supreme Court and federal courts. The five criminal bureaus provide legal assistance to the sate attorneys. Capital Appeals Bureau handles death penalty litigation statewide before the Florida Supreme Court and federal courts.

Investigates and prosecutes fraud involving providers that intentionally defraud the state's Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. MFCU investigates a wide range of misconduct originating primarily from fraudulent billing schemes, including allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program.

The Office of Statewide Prosecution(OSP) prosecutes specific crimes that impact two or more judicial circuits in the State. Working regularly with state and federal counterparts, the office focuses on complex, often large scale, organized criminal activity. The Office is authorized to act throughout Florida and works closely with law enforcement and State Attorneys to coordinate the prosecutions of multi-circuit violations of State law.

Cyber Fraud, combines the resources of OSP and Enforcement to combat cybercrimes related to fraud and identity theft. Assistant Statewide Prosecutors in the unit work with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute multi-circuit crimes facilitated by the internet. Consumer Protection Assistant Attorney Generals enforce the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and protect consumers from internet and technology-based scams and fraud.