“DOJ and Me” Toolkit - Oregon Department of Justice

“DOJ and Me” Toolkit

Welcome to the “DOJ and Me” Toolkit—an online resource for learning more about the work of Oregon’s Attorney General and accessing the services provided by the Oregon Department of Justice

What the Oregon Attorney General Does

Oregon’s Attorney General is the state’s chief law officer, a role created by the legislature in 1891. The Attorney General is elected by Oregonians for a four-year term and leads the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ), which functions as the law firm for Oregon’s state government and provides child support services and victims services for Oregonians. DOJ has a staff of approximately 1,600 attorneys and staff, with 10 legal offices and 13 child support offices throughout the state. The Attorney General appoints and assigns lawyers at DOJ—called “Assistant Attorneys General”—to carry out the duties of the office.

More than 350 state laws define the authority of the Attorney General and DOJ. In particular, Chapter 180 of the Oregon Revised Statutes outlines the powers and duties of Oregon’s Attorney General. Those duties include:

Lawyer for State Government

DOJ represents and provides legal services to state officials, state agencies, and state boards and commissions. This centralized system helps keep the state’s legal position consistent and reduces costs for Oregon taxpayers. Among other things, DOJ:

Appears in all court cases and legal proceedings in which the State of Oregon, state agencies, or state officials are a party or have an interest. This includes defending the state when it gets sued and bringing lawsuits on behalf of the state and its agencies
Provides legal services and advice to state officials and state agencies
Issues formal opinions regarding legal questions that implicate state interests (upon a request from a state official)

Criminal Law Enforcement

DOJ plays an important role in Oregon’s criminal justice system. For example, DOJ:

Represents the state in all criminal appeals
Conducts criminal investigations and prosecution
Investigates organized crime and public corruption
Provides assistance to Oregon’s district attorneys and other law enforcement officials

Civil Law Enforcement

DOJ protects Oregonians by enforcing state laws where the legislature has given the AG an enforcement role. Among other things, DOJ:

Enforces consumer protection laws to stop fraud and scams
Regulates charitable organizations and activities
Enforces antitrust laws to make sure businesses compete fairly, which helps to ensure that consumers have more choices and fair prices
Administers the national tobacco settlement, to help protect public health in Oregon

In some circumstances, the Attorney General can also bring cases on behalf of the public, which gives the state unique power to protect people when private lawsuits are not enough.

Services for the Public

The Attorney General also helps Oregonians directly by providing essential programs and services statewide. Here are a few examples of DOJ’s services:

Consumer Protection Hotline: helps people dealing with scams, identity theft, or unfair business practices
Oregon Child Support Program: helps families receive child support payments
Bias Response Hotline: supports Oregonians who experience hate or bias incidents
Crime Victim and Survivor Services: provides support and resources to victims of crime

Ensuring Government Transparency

Public Records Orders: if a state agency denies your request for public records, you can challenge that decision directly to the Attorney General
Public Records and Public Meetings Manual: the Attorney General publishes manuals and toolkits to help government officials and members of the public understand their legal rights and obligations with respect to government transparency

Oregon DOJ Toolkit FAQs

How do I file a fraud complaint against a business or organization?: Contact the DOJ’s Consumer Protection Hotline:
Phone: 1-877-877-9392 (8:30 am to 4:30 pm PT Monday-Friday)
Online: Consumer Complaint(Opens in a new tab/window)
Report Scams & Fraud
How can I learn more about the DOJ’s work?: Oregon DOJ News
Sign Up for DOJ Media Releases
Sign up for AG Rayfield’s Constituent Newsletter
How do I appeal a state agency’s public records request denial?: Petition for Public Records Order(Opens in a new tab/window)
Where do I submit a media inquiry?: Media Inquiries
How do I report a bias or hate crime in Oregon?: If you have witnessed or experienced a hate crime or bias incident in Oregon, we want to hear from you:
Non-Emergency Bias Response Hotline: 1-844-924-2427 (9 am – 5 pm PT Monday-Friday)
Online: Report a Bias Crime or Incident(Opens in a new tab/window)
Report a Bias Crime or Incident
How do I report a violation of Oregon’s Sanctuary Law?: If you or someone you know was targeted in violation of Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise laws, please contact:
Phone: 1-844-924-STAY/1-844-6-AMPARO
Online: SanctuaryPromise.Oregon.gov or PromesaSantuario.Oregon.gov
Sanctuary Promise Violations Hotline
How do I report unlawful actions by federal agents?: If you have information or concerns about possible violations of individual rights or actions that raise legal or constitutional issues, please share them using this form. Your report helps our office document concerns, identify patterns, and better understand emerging issues: Federal Oversight and Accountability Reporting FormSmartSheet(Opens in a new tab/window)
Who do I contact about issues with child support payments?: For more information, please visit: Paying Child Support
How can I get information or help regarding a charity?: For more information, please visit: Charities
How do I contact the Attorney General?: The Attorney General wants to hear from you! If you have thoughts or questions, you can email: attorneygeneral@doj.oregon.gov(Opens in a new tab/window)
What is the address for serving legal documents to the Attorney General?: Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301-4096
How can I find a lawyer or legal assistance?: The Oregon State Bar can refer you to a lawyer who may be able to assist you with your legal matter:
Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Phone: 503-684-3763 or toll free in Oregon 800-452-7636
Online: https://www.osbar.org/public/ris(Opens in a new tab/window)