OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL

Mission

The OAG’s purpose is to assist the government to build its Nation, and to help its citizens improve their quality of life by providing sound legal advice to the Nation.

Services Provided

The Office of Attorney General (OAG) has established a philosophy of being proactive rather than reactive for legal services and systems. After a review of the Constitution and the Attorney General’s Act, it is apparent the OAG represents the Nation as a whole rather than having particular programs or branches as their clients.

The OAG is composed of seven attorneys and four support staff; the Prosecutor’s Office is composed of three attorneys and six support staff. Assistant Attorney Generals develop a work practice and are assigned programs or disciplines. A major change for the OAG has been taking responsibility and advocacy for the Prosecutor’s Office.

The OAG has proceeded with other projects that include negotiation of a new Gaming Compact with the State of Arizona, review of financing for West Valley expansion, negotiation with Cyprus mine for reopening, monitoring of the Rosemont mine, protection of the Nation’s water rights, and protection of the Nation’s sovereignty with regard to the proposed “wall.”

Several of the most crucial and vulnerable groups of community members are O’odham children and juveniles. A major change for the OAG has been taking responsibility and advocacy for the Prosecutor’s Office. In addition to being responsible for the Prosecutor’s Office, the OAG has responsibility for neglected children in tribal and state courts. Half of the OAG’s budget and professional resources are assigned to children in need. Therefore, the OAG has conducted a six month community of interest discussion and review of how to coordinate the OAG with other tribal programs to address children in need, juvenile delinquency and adult offenders.

Contact Us

Office of Attorney General
Office: (520)383-3410
Howard M. Shanker, Attorney General