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FAQS

Public Safety Section

Can the Attorney General’s Office investigate and/or prosecute my case?

The involvement of the Attorney General’s Office is limited to those cases where our office has been appointed to assist at the request of a local prosecutor and by direction of the Governor, pursuant to Section 27.030, RSMo, or are appointed as special prosecutors by a court when local prosecutors have a conflict of interest, under Section 56.110, RSMo. The Office is not able to independently initiate or take over a case from a local law enforcement agency or from a local prosecutor unless specifically authorized to do so.

Who supervises my city or county prosecutor, county sheriff, or police chief?

Local prosecuting attorneys and sheriffs are elected by city or county voters, and police chiefs are typically hired and overseen by cities’ elected officials. Local prosecuting attorneys, sheriffs, and police chiefs are not employees of the Attorney General’s Office and are not supervised by this Office. A local prosecutor determines whether charges should be filed in a case. If you disagree with a decision made by a local prosecuting attorney, sheriff, or police chief, you may want to consult with a private lawyer to discuss your individual rights and remedies. The Attorney General’s Office does not have the authority to override the decisions of a local prosecutor.

If you need to find a private lawyer, the Missouri Bar’s Find A Lawyer webpage includes a statewide Lawyer Search that can help you locate an attorney based on practice area and geographic location. In addition, the page offers links to an online Lawyer Directory and to information about discounted and pro bono services.

For further information about finding a lawyer, you may also wish to contact:

The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis through its online Lawyer Referral and Information Service or by calling BAMSL’s LRIS staff at 314-621-6681; or the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association through its online Lawyer Referral Service or by calling the SMBA at 417-831-2783.

Who takes complaints about private lawyers?

The Attorney General’s Office does not supervise private lawyers.

Complaints against lawyers may be filed with the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel.

Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel
3327 American Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-635-7400

Who takes complaints about judges?

The Attorney General’s Office does not supervise judges.

Complaints regarding judges may be sent to the Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges.

Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges
2190 South Mason Road, Suite 201
St. Louis, MO 63131
314-966-1007

How do I file a public corruption complaint?

If you have concerns about the propriety of conduct by a public official in your community, please let our office know. You click this link to fill to submit a complaint. Please be advised that the Attorney General is not your private attorney but enforces Missouri laws. By filing the complaint you are acknowledging that you are willing to testify in court to the fact stated in your complaint. A copy of the complaint may be provided to the public official against whom you are filing the complaint and in accordance with Missouri law, complaints may under certain circumstances be subject to public disclosure. Your complaint, including your name, address, and related documents, may be provided pursuant to a Sunshine Law request.

I have information about a crime. Who can I report this to?

You should contact your local police or sheriff’s department.

Can the Attorney General’s Office give me legal advice about my case?

No. The Attorney General’s Office can provide general information, direct you to pertinent agencies, or provide copies of statutes. The Attorney General is the attorney for the State of Missouri and its agencies and cannot offer legal advice or act on behalf of individuals. The Office does offer several publications that can be downloaded or received in hard copy. Likewise, the Missouri Bar’s Legal Topics webpage offers similar access to multiple publications. You may also want to contact a private lawyer to discuss your individual rights and remedies.

The Missouri Bar’s Find A Lawyer webpage includes a statewide Lawyer Search that can help you locate a private attorney based on practice area and geographic location. In addition, the page offers links to an online Lawyer Directory and to information about discounted and pro bono services

I am a crime victim. How can I locate services?

The Attorney General’s Office provides a list of agencies crime victims can call for help as well as a list of advocates for crime victims in counties throughout Missouri. You can also access the Missouri Attorney General’s Office crime victims’ rights booklet.

I have questions about concealed carry reciprocity. Where can I find additional information?

You may access the Attorney General’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity page as well as Missouri’s Concealed Carry Law.