About the Attorney General

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The earliest reference to an Attorney General in Ohio can be found in the government of the Northwest Territory, where the Congressional Act of June 16, 1795 provided for the interests of the Government of the Territory to be represented by an "attorney general" before the General Court of the Territory. The Act also prescribed fees to be paid to the attorney general, including 18 cents per sheet, 62 cents for court motions, $5 for criminal cases and $8 for capital cases.
Paul Fearing appointed to this position and thought to have held the position until Ohio became a state 1803. Annual Salary - $400.
The official position of Attorney General was created by the Ohio General Assembly.

  • Pre-requisites
  • Responsibilities
    • Henry Stanbery became the first appointed Ohio Attorney General and opened his office in Columbus.
    Pre-requisites -
    The Attorney General had to be a Franklin County resident, maintain an office in Columbus, take an oath to support the Constitution, and post a $5,000 bond. The Attorney General was paid a salary of $750 annually, plus three and one half percent of all monies collected, up to a total maximum of $1300 a year.
    1. To be legal advisor to the state government.
    2. To represent the interests of the State.
    3. To provide legal opinions to state officials.
    4. To prepare all state contracts
    5. To maintain records and prepare an annual report to the General Assembly.
    6. To represent the State in all matters before the Ohio Supreme Court and in any court at the request of the Governor or the General Assembly.
    7. To consult with county prosecuting attorneys and to compile crime statistics as reported.
    In May the General Assembly added more responsibilities to the Attorney General's office. In addition to the responsibilities of the 1846 act, the Attorney General was:
    1. Directed to "enforce the performance of trusts for charitable and educational purposes, and restrain the abuse thereof,"
    2. To provide legal opinions to a wider circle of state officials.
    3. Restricted to prosecute persons only "upon the written request of the Governor."

    Twelve members of the Ohio General Assembly were indicted and prosecuted on bribery charges after a bi-partisan legislative committee was created to investigate corruption within various departments of Ohio government.

    Attorney General Timothy Hogan testified before the grand jury in that case, and the legislators were convicted.

    There were ten sections in the office of Attorney General Wade Ellis:
    1. Governor and Trustees of State Institutions
    2. Secretary of State
    3. State Auditor and State Treasurer
    4. Public Works, Highways and Agriculture
    5. General Criminal Business
    6. Dairy and Food
    7. Health and Medical
    8. Insurance
    9. Common Schools and Universities
    10. Miscellaneous (Labor, Mines, Railroads)
    Attorney General Timothy Hogan increased the work hours, due to workload and responsibilities, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m
    The Attorney General's term increased from two to four years.
    The work day has been increased again -- the work day is now 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    Return to the Main Ohio Attorney General Site