Pursuant to W.S. 9-1-601 et seq., the Attorney General advises and renders legal opinions to elected and appointed state officers and both houses of the Legislature when in session. The Attorney General is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the state, empowered to prosecute and defend civil suits instituted by or against the state, and handles criminal appeals in the Supreme Court. (2015 State Directory)
History
The office of Attorney General was created by the laws of 1886, which also provided that he be appointed by the Governor with the consent of the legislative council for a term of two years; that he defend or prosecute all causes to which the Territory might be a part; that he give his opinion, when required, to the Governor and Secretary of the Territory, and to all officers appointed by the Territorial government; was required to file a biennial report with the GovĀernor within ten days next preceding the meeting of the State Legislature.The Constitution provides that all Territorial laws not repugnant to the Constitution shall become State laws, and remain in force until they expire by their own limitation or be amended or repealed by the State legislature. Thereby the 1886 law establishing the office of Attorney General remained in force until 1899, when the Fifth State Legislature passed an act providing for the office of Attorney General, prescribing the qualifications, duties, compensations, and term of office; he was required to make a report to the Governor within thirty days next preceding the meeting of the State Legislature. This law provides for the Attorney General to be appointed by the Governor with the consent of the senate, for a term of four years; salary has been increased through the years; the duties of the office have greatly increased with the development of the State; his general duties today are to prosecute or defend all suits that may be instituted by or brought against the State of Wyoming, or any of the departments or institutions thereof; interpret the laws of the State, which interpretation would govern, except in cases of contrary ruling by competent authority; is legal adviser to the five elective officers, as well as to all State officers, departments and institutions. The twenty-second State Legislature, 1933, required the Attorney General on or before the first day of November immediately preceding the meeting of each State legislature, to file a biennial report, one with the Governor and one with each house of the State legislature.
Divisions
Division of Criminal Investigation
The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) provides criminal investigation, forensic laboratory services, criminal information systems and related services pursuant to W.S. 9-1- 611 through W. S. 9-1-627. Contact information is Combined Laboratories Building 208 South College Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-7181, Fax (307) 777-7252 Email: dciwebmaster@wyo.gov
Website: wyomingdci.wyo.gov (2015 State Directory)
Medical Review Panel
The Medical Review Panel shall review and make possible the fair and equitable disposition of all malpractice claims against health care providers filed with the Panel in accordance with the Medical Review Panel Act of 2005. (W.S. 9-2-1513 through W.S. 9-2-1523). Contact information is 800 Werner Court, Suite 190 P.O. Box 1507 Casper 82602 Phone (307) 265-2225, Fax (307) 265-2623 Website: ag.wyo.gov (2015 State Directory)
Division of Victim Services
The Division of Victim Services (DVS) mission statement is to improve the treatment of all victims of crime by providing them with the assistance and services essential to their restoration. The DVS administers programs dedicated to serving crime victims. The DVS assists victims of crime, provide awareness, education and training to the general community, and support legislative, judicial and social reforms beneficial to crime victims. The DVS believes the criminal justice system and allied agencies must ultimately be measured by their treatment of victims, for that goal will surely best serve society. The DVS administers the Wyoming Crime Victim Compensation Program (CVCP) that provides financial assistance to hundreds of victims each year that have suffered personal injury as a result of a criminal act and administers federal Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funds, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds, Family Violence Preventions Act (FVPSA) funds, as well as state general funds to service providers, either by formula or non-formula distribution. These funds support victim/witness programs, family violence shelter service programs and specialized crime victim assistance programs in every county in Wyoming. Contact information is Capitol Hill Building, 2nd Floor 320 West 25th Street Cheyenne 82002
Phone (307) 777-7200, Fax (307) 777-6683 Email: ag-victimservices@wyo.gov Website: ag.wyo.gov/victim-services-home-page (2015 State Directory)
Board of Coroner Standards
The Board of Coroner Standards promulgates standards dealing with the investigation of coroner's cases and educational and training requirements for basic and continuing education. It consists of one chair and six members appointed by the Governor. One board member shall be a physician, three shall be elected coroners, one shall be a licensed funeral director, one shall be a district attorney, and one shall be a peace officer. Contact information is Pacific Building 1710 Pacific Avenue Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-7718, Fax (307) 638-9706 Website: http://ag.wyo.gov/post-home-page/post-board-of-coroner-s-member (2015 State Directory)
Advisory Board on Drugs and Substances Control
The Advisory Board on Drugs and Substances Control assists and advises Commissioner of Drugs and Substances Control (W.S. 35-7-1005) . Contact information is 1712 Carey Avenue, Suite 200 Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 634-9636, Fax (307) 634-6335 (2015 State Directory)
Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission
The Peace Officers Standard and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission, authorized by W.S. 9-1- 701 through W.S. 9-1-711, establishes and administers guidelines in the certification and decertification process of Wyoming peace officers, detention officers, correctional officers and dispatchers. Members are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor. Contact information: Pacific Building 1710 Pacific Avenue Cheyenne 82002 Phone (307) 777-7718, Fax (307) 638-9706 Website: ag.wyo.gov/post-home-page (2015 State Directory)
Attorney Generals
Name
| Start Date
| End Date
|
Hugo Donzelmann
| March 31, 1886
| January 17, 1891
|
Charles N. Potter
| January 17, 1891
| January 7, 1895
|
Benjamin F. Fowler
| January 7, 1895
| January 3, 1898
|
Josiah A. Van Orsdel
| January 3, 1898
| April 18, 1905
|
W.E. Mullen
| April 18, 1905
| April 1, 1911
|
Douglas A. Preston
| April 1, 1911
| February 21, 1919
|
William L. Walls
| February 21, 1919
| January 1, 1923
|
David J. Howell
| January 1, 1923
| January 3, 1927
|
William O. Wilson
| January 3, 1927
| January 5, 1931
|
James A. Greenwood
| January 5, 1931
| April 17, 1933
|
Ray E. Lee
| April 17, 1933
| January 2, 1939
|
Ewing T. Kerr
| January 2, 1939
| January 4, 1943
|
Louis O'Marr
| January 4, 1943
| 1947
|
Norman B. Grey
| 1947
| 1951
|
Harry S. Harnsberger
| 1951
| 1953
|
Howard Black
| 1953
| 1955
|
George F. Guy
| 1955
| 1957
|
Thomas O. Miller
| 1957
| 1959
|
Norman B. Grey
| 1959
| 1963
|
John F. Raper
| 1963
| 1965
|
Dean W. Borthwick
| 1965
| 1967
|
James E. Barrett
| 1967
| 1971
|
Clarence A. Brimmer (resigned)
| 1971
| 1974
|
David Kennedy
| 1974
|
|
V. Frank Mendicino
| 1975
| 1978
|
John J. Rooney
| 1978
| 1978
|
John D. Troughton
| 1979
| 1981
|
Steven F. Frudenthal
| 1981
| 1982
|
A.G. McClintock
| 1983
| 1986
|
Joseph B. Meyer
| 1987
| 1994
|
William U. Hill
| 1995
| 1998
|
Gay Woodhouse
| 1999
| 2001
|
Hoke MacMillian
| 2002
| 2002
|
Patrick J. Crank
| 2003
| 2007
|
Bruce A. Salzburg
| 2008
| 2008
|
| 2009
| 2010
|
Gregory A. Phillips
| 2011
| 2013
|
Peter K. Michael
| 2013
| Present
|