The New Hampshire Attorney General is the state’s chief law enforcement officer, chief prosecutor, and top legal advisor to state government.1United States Department of Justice. About the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire The office runs the New Hampshire Department of Justice, which is divided into bureaus that prosecute serious crimes, defend state agencies in court, handle consumer complaints, oversee charitable organizations, and support crime victims. John Formella currently holds the position.
How the Office Is Filled
New Hampshire is one of a handful of states where voters do not elect the Attorney General. The Governor nominates a candidate, and the five-member Executive Council must confirm the appointment. The term runs four years.
The underlying authority comes from RSA 7:6, which puts the Attorney General in charge of supervising criminal cases before the state’s supreme and superior courts and acting as the state’s attorney in legal proceedings.2New Hampshire General Court. New Hampshire Code 7:6 – Powers and Duties as State’s Attorney From there the role spreads out: the office advises more than 100 executive departments and agencies, issues formal legal opinions, initiates criminal prosecutions, and brings civil actions to protect the public interest.3New Hampshire Department of Justice. Civil Law Bureau
Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau
For most residents, this is the part of the office they will ever contact. The Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau enforces RSA 358-A, New Hampshire’s statute against unfair business practices and deceptive trade conduct.4Justia. New Hampshire Code 358-A – Regulation of Business Practices for Consumer Protection An individual who violates RSA 358-A:2 faces misdemeanor charges, and a business entity committing the same violation faces a felony.5New Hampshire General Court. New Hampshire Code 358-A:6 – Penalties The bureau can also pursue civil penalties and injunctions.
Its daily work covers telemarketing scams, identity theft, and price gouging during declared emergencies. On the antitrust side, it investigates monopolistic conduct and can act either on its own or jointly with other states.
Filing a Consumer Complaint
Before you contact the bureau, gather the business’s full legal name and physical address, the date of the transaction, the dollar amount in dispute including any taxes or fees, and copies of relevant documents such as contracts, receipts, or written correspondence. Incomplete submissions slow everything down.
All complaints must be in writing.6New Hampshire Department of Justice. Consumer Complaints You can file online by creating an account through the state’s electronic filing portal and submitting the Consumer Complaint Form digitally, or you can download the form, print it, and send it by mail or email to the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, Office of the Attorney General, 33 Capitol Street, Concord, NH 03301.7State of New Hampshire. Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau
Staff typically assign a file number within about three weeks, though that varies with volume. A paralegal and an attorney review the submission, and you will receive written notice about what help the bureau can offer. If the complaint has merit, the bureau contacts the business to request a response, which can lead to a mediation process that takes several months. You will be contacted when there is an update; do not expect weekly check-ins.
Criminal Justice Bureau
The Criminal Justice Bureau handles the state’s most serious criminal matters. It prosecutes crimes carrying life sentences and represents New Hampshire in all criminal appeals before the state Supreme Court and federal courts.8New Hampshire Department of Justice. Criminal Justice Bureau It also investigates drug trafficking, financial crime, cybercrime, and Medicaid fraud.
Homicide Prosecution
Homicide prosecutors get involved from the first call about a suspicious death and stay with the case through trial and any appeal. They oversee all murder investigations and work directly with state and local police.8New Hampshire Department of Justice. Criminal Justice Bureau A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.9New Hampshire General Court. New Hampshire Code 630:1-a – First Degree Murder
Public Integrity and White-Collar Crime
This unit prosecutes criminal wrongdoing by government officials, including state and local law enforcement officers. The work involves search warrants, review of bank records and town ledgers, and witness interviews. Attorneys present evidence to grand juries across the state and review allegations of criminal conduct under RSA 631:4-a.10New Hampshire Department of Justice. Public Integrity and White-Collar Crime Unit When a selectboard member diverts town funds or a police officer abuses authority, this unit builds the case.
Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates healthcare providers who submit fraudulent claims to the state Medicaid program.11New Hampshire Department of Justice. Medicaid Fraud Control Unit It also handles patient abuse and neglect in facilities receiving Medicaid payments and the misappropriation of patient funds. Investigations can produce criminal charges and civil lawsuits running at the same time.
Civil Law Bureau
The Civil Law Bureau serves as in-house legal counsel for more than 100 state executive departments and agencies. Its attorneys advise officials on legal questions, defend the state in lawsuits, and represent agencies in administrative hearings.3New Hampshire Department of Justice. Civil Law Bureau When someone sues the state over a liability claim involving state property or employees, this bureau handles the defense. It also defends state laws against constitutional challenges.
Election Law
Election law work sits inside the Civil Bureau, not the criminal side. RSA 7:6-c designates the Attorney General to enforce election laws statewide. In practice, Civil Bureau attorneys advise the Secretary of State, who administers elections, and defend the state or the Secretary of State in matters before the Ballot Law Commission, Superior Court, and the Supreme Court.12New Hampshire Department of Justice. Election Law Unit The role is primarily advisory and litigation defense rather than criminal investigation.
Charitable Trusts Unit
The Charitable Trusts Unit supervises charitable organizations operating in New Hampshire. The governing statutes run from RSA 7:19 through RSA 7:32-l and cover registration, reporting, and oversight of nonprofit entities.13New Hampshire Department of Justice. Charitable Trust Laws RSA 7:19-a regulates financial transactions between charitable trusts and their own directors, officers, or trustees to prevent self-dealing.14New Hampshire General Court. New Hampshire Code 7:19-a – Regulation of Certain Transactions Involving Directors, Officers, and Trustees of Charitable Trusts
The practical job is making sure donated funds go where donors intended. Nonprofit boards carry the primary responsibility for protecting charitable assets, and the AG’s office is the backstop. When a nonprofit mismanages funds or a board member engages in a prohibited conflict-of-interest transaction, the unit can investigate and take enforcement action. Nonprofits registered in New Hampshire must keep their registration active and meet ongoing reporting requirements.
Victim and Witness Assistance
The Office of Victim/Witness Assistance was established in 1987 under RSA 21-M:8-b. It provides information and services to victims and witnesses in criminal cases prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office and coordinates a statewide victim and witness rights information program.15New Hampshire Department of Justice. Office of Victim/Witness Assistance Staff help victims understand their rights, follow court proceedings, and reach available compensation and support services. If you are a victim or witness in a case the AG’s office is handling, this is your point of contact.