About DOJ

The Attorney General

Attorney General Josh Stein leads the North Carolina Department of Justice in its mission to protect the people of North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Justice works to prevent crime and support law enforcement, to safeguard consumers, and to defend the State, its people, and their constitutional rights.

Attorney General Stein and NCDOJ work to keep people safe in the following ways:

• The Public Protection Section works to prevent crime and support victims through policy and public education. This work includes a focus on victims and survivors of violent crime, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
• The North Carolina State Crime Lab analyzes evidence and works with criminal justice officers to help law enforcement solve crimes.
• The North Carolina Justice Academy trains local law enforcement officers.
• The Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission and the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission oversees training and standards for law enforcement.

Consumer Protection

Our Consumer Protection Division protects consumers and seniors from scams and fraud. Most business play by the rules and treat their customers fairly, but when they don’t, we investigate consumer complaints and hold business and individuals accountable for mistreating North Carolina customers. In 2022, the Consumer Protection Division won more than $300 million in court judgments and settlements, including money from settlements with drug companies that contributed to the opioid epidemic. Since 2017, the division has won more than $2.5 billion for consumers in North Carolina

NCDOJ also works to protect taxpayers from financial and healthcare fraud that wastes taxpayer money. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Investigations Division (MID) investigates and prosecutes fraud and abuse by healthcare companies and providers, as well as patient abuse and neglect in facilities that are funded by Medicaid. To date, the MID has recovered more than $1 billion in restitution and penalties for North Carolina.

NCDOJ’s Environmental Division works to protect the air North Carolinians breathe and the water they drink. That includes making sure that companies meet environmental regulations, holding corporations accountable if they pollute our air and drinking water, safeguarding our coastline and our coastal economy.

Legal Services

When public safety and North Carolinians’ interests are at stake, the Attorney General can take legal action on behalf of the State and its people.

• Our Civil Bureau provides legal advice and representation to state government departments, agencies, and commissions.
• Our Criminal Bureau prosecutes certain cases at the request of the local district attorney and represents the state to uphold convictions in all criminal appeals.