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Attorney General outlines office structure, criminal priorities and consumer services to Judiciary Committee
Summary
Attorney General Charity Clark (as recorded) told the committee the office represents the state in civil defense, prioritizes violent crimes and child exploitation investigations, runs consumer assistance and coordinates with the legislature on statutory and constitutional questions.
Attorney General Charity Clark told the House Judiciary Committee Friday that the attorney general’s office serves as the state’s lawyer in civil and criminal matters, and outlined divisional responsibilities, staff size and areas the office expects to prioritize during the legislative biennium.
Clark said the office has roughly 150 staff, including about 100 lawyers, and described five major divisions: civil, environmental and public protection (including a civil rights and consumer unit), human services, criminal and general counsel/administrative law.
Why it matters: The attorney general’s office represents the state in litigation, prosecutes select serious crimes statewide and provides legal expertise to the legislature and agencies. Its priorities determine which complex or resource‑intensive criminal cases and policy issues the state will litigate or support.
Most important takeaways
- Role and staffing: Clark said the attorney general’s office defends the state in civil litigation, brings and settles lawsuits, and provides counsel for agencies. She reported about 150 staff and roughly 100 lawyers and noted the office’s institutional relationship to the legislature.
- Criminal priorities: Clark said the Criminal Division focuses on violent crime and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) investigations, including housing the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and specialized investigative resources.
- Consumer assistance and outreach: The office runs a consumer assistance program in partnership with the University of Vermont that fields a hotline to help Vermonters with scams and consumer problems and refers cases to appropriate agencies.
- Restorative justice and community programs: Clark pointed to the Community Justice Unit and restorative justice programs administered in the office, noting that roughly 20% of misdemeanor matters in Vermont are handled through restorative justice processes in some jurisdictions.
- Anticipated litigation and appellate work: Clark said the appellate unit is prepared to lead on potential federal litigation related to presidential actions and that the office will continue to provide statutory guidance to the legislature on constitutionality and legal risk.
Committee exchange and next steps
Clark introduced Todd Daylows as the director of policy and legislation and noted the office’s collaborative relationship with legislative counsel. Committee members asked about the office’s role relative to local state’s attorneys; Clark said the office maintains concurrent jurisdiction and frequently coordinates with local prosecutors, stepping in on complex or resource-intensive matters.
Ending
Clark closed by offering the office’s assistance to the committee on legislation, promising continued coordination and noting upcoming work such as the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission report expected soon.
