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Attorney General


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Constitution shall become State laws, and remain in force until they expire by their own limitation or be amended or repealed by the State legislature.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


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