Mississippi Attorney General
| Mississippi Attorney General | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $108,960 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $41,088,474 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Mississippi Constitution, Article VI, Section 173 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Attorney General of Mississippi
Lynn Fitch | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 2, 2027 |
| Last election: | November 7, 2023 |
| Other Mississippi Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Executive Director of Environmental Quality • Executive Director of Employment Security • Public Service Commission • Transportation Commission | |
The Attorney General of Mississippi is the chief legal officer and advisor for the state of Mississippi. The attorney general bears responsibility for advising the state on civil and criminal matters, representing public officials and governmental agencies, and interpreting state law through the issuance of legal opinions.[1] The attorney general is elected every four years, in the odd-numbered years preceding a presidential election. He or she is not restricted to term limits.
Mississippi has a Republican triplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Attorney General of Mississippi is Lynn Fitch (R). Fitch assumed office in 2020.
Authority
The Attorney General's powers, term of office, qualifications and installation are established by Article 6, Section 173 of the Mississippi Constitution.[2]
Article VI, Section 173:
| There shall be an attorney-general elected at the same time and in the same manner as the governor is elected, whose term of office shall be four years and whose compensation shall be fixed by law. The qualifications for the attorney-general shall be the same as herein prescribed for judges of the circuit and chancery courts. |
Qualifications
Article 6, Section 154 of the Mississippi Constitution establishes the qualifications of the judges circuit and chancery courts and also applies to the office of attorney general):[2]
- a practicing lawyer for five years
- at least 26 years old
- a resident of Mississippi for at least five years
Article VI, Section 154:
| No person shall be eligible to the office of judge of the circuit or of the chancery court who shall not have been a practicing lawyer for five years and who shall not have attained the age of twenty-six, and who shall not have been five years a citizen of this state. |
Elections
The attorney general is elected every four years, in the odd-numbered years before a presidential election. The attorney general is elected in 2015, 2019, 2023, and 2027.
Term limits
The attorney general is not subject to term limits.
2027
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
General election
The general election will occur on November 2, 2027.
Past elections
Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Mississippi Attorney General has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
The attorney general serves as the chief legal officer and advisor for Mississippi. He is responsible for advising on both civil and criminal legal matters. The officeholder is aided by a staff of attorneys, investigators, and office personnel.[1]
Other duties of the office include:
- represent public officials and government agencies
- issue legal opinions that interpret state law
- act as counsel to state agencies to defend them or bring suit on their behalf
- represent the people of the state of Mississippi
Mississippi Sunshine Act
On May 22, 2012, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant (R) signed a bill limiting the power of the attorney general.[3] Dubbed the Mississippi Sunshine Act, House Bill 211 addressed the need, according to supporters, to "rein in the troublesome practice of awarding contingency fee contracts to plaintiffs' lawyers who are also major campaign contributors to the state attorney general."[4] The conflict of interest issue stemmed from the office's ability to personally select private lawyers whose contracts and fees were arranged at the attorney general's discretion. The Sunshine Law, which went into effect July 1, 2012, requires the attorney general to appoint outside counsel to represent a state agency or elected official in the event that the attorney general either refuses or is in conflict with the agency or official. The new law took away the attorney general's power to bring suits unilaterally on behalf of a state agency or elected official. Instead, an agency or elected official is given seven working days to object and seek out alternate counsel, subject to approval by a commission comprised of the governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state. Once an objection is made, the attorney general cannot go on to represent the associated agency or official. In addition, the law limits the share of a verdict that goes to private lawyers hired on contingency, capping payments at $50 million in most cases.[4]
Divisions
- Updated January 25, 2021
The divisions of the attorney general's office include:
- Accounting and Financial Management
- Administrative Services
- Bureau of Victim Assistance
- Civil Litigation
- Communications
- Consumer Protection
- Criminal Appeals
- Cyber Crime
- Executive
- Information Technology
- Investigations
- Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
- Opinions and Policy
- Prosecutor and Law Enforcement Training
- Public Education and Community Engagement
- Public Integrity
- Solicitor General
- State Agencies[5]
State budget
- See also: Mississippi state budget and finances
The Office of the Attorney General's budget for fiscal year 2025 was $41,088,474.[6]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
Under Article 6, Section 173 of the Mississippi Constitution the attorney general’s salary is determined by law. MS Code states that no public official can be compensated, directly or indirectly, greater than 150% of the salary of the governor.[2][7]
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2021
In 2021, the attorney general received a salary of $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2020
In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2019
In 2019, the attorney general received a salary of $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2018
In 2018, the attorney general received a salary of $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2017
In 2017, the attorney general received a salary of $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2016
In 2016, the attorney general received a salary of $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2015
In 2015, the attorney general received a salary of $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2014
In 2014, the attorney general was paid an estimated $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2013
In 2013, the attorney general was paid an estimated $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
2012
In 2012, the attorney general was paid an estimated $108,960, according to the Council of State Governments.[19]
Historical officeholders
Summary of officeholders. Since 1818, Mississippi has had 39 officeholders.
Click "show" for former officeholders.
| Number | Name | Took office | Left office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lyman Harding | 1818 | 1820 | |
| 2 | Edward Turner | 1820 | 1821 | |
| 3 | Thomas B. Reed | 1821 | 1825 | |
| 4 | Richard Stockton | 1825 | 1828 | |
| 5 | George Adams | 1828 | 1829 | |
| 6 | Robert H. Buckner | 1829 | 1830 | |
| 7 | R. M. Gaines | 1830 | 1834 | |
| 8 | M. D. Patton | 1834 | 1837 | |
| 9 | T. F. Collins | 1837 | 1841 | |
| 10 | John F. Freeman | 1841 | 1853 | |
| 11 | D. C. Glenn | 1853 | 1857 | |
| 12 | T. J. Wharton | 1857 | 1865 | |
| 13 | Charles E. Hooker | 1865 | 1868 | |
| 14 | Jasper Myers | 1868 | 1870 | |
| 15 | Joshua S. Morris | 1870 | 1874 | |
| 16 | George E. Harris | 1874 | 1878 | |
| 17 | Thomas C. Catchings | 1878 | 1885 | |
| 18 | Thomas S. Ford | 1885 | 1886 | |
| 19 | T. Marshall Miller | 1886 | 1893 | |
| 20 | Frank Johnston | 1893 | 1900 | |
| 21 | Wiley N. Nash | 1896 | 1900 | Democrat |
| 22 | Monroe McClung | 1900 | 1903 | Democrat |
| 23 | William Williams | 1903 | 1907 | Democrat |
| 24 | Robert Virgil Fletcher | 1907 | 1908 | Democrat |
| 25 | J. Bowman Sterling | 1908 | 1910 | Democrat |
| 26 | Shepherd Spencer Hudson | 1910 | 1912 | Democrat |
| 27 | Rosser Alexander Collins | 1920 | 1923 | Democrat |
| 28 | Frank Roberson | 1920 | 1923 | Democrat |
| 29 | C. D. Potter | 1923 | 1924 | Democrat |
| 30 | Rush Hightower Knox | 1924 | 1928 | Democrat |
| 31 | George T. Mitchell | 1928 | 1932 | Democrat |
| 32 | Greek L. Rice | 1932 | 1952 | Democrat |
| 33 | James Plemon (J.P.) Coleman | 1952 | 1956 | Democrat |
| 34 | Joseph Turner Patterson | 1956 | 1969 | Democrat |
| 35 | Albioun Fernando Summer | 1969 | 1980 | Democrat |
| 36 | William A. (Bill) Allain | 1980 | 1984 | Democrat |
| 37 | Edwin Lloyd (Ed) Pittman | 1984 | 1988 | Democrat |
| 38 | Mike Moore | 1988 | 2004 | Democrat |
| 39 | Jim Hood | 2004 | 2020 | Democrat |
| 40 | Lynn Fitch | 2020 | Present | Republican |
Campaign finance discipline
The Attorney General of Mississippi is responsible for all prosecution of the state's campaign finance laws. This is regardless if it involves civil or criminal laws. The first step in filing any complaint is to file with the attorney general.[20]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Mississippi Attorney General. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Mailing address:
MS Attorney General's Office
P.O. Box 220
Jackson, MS 39205
Street address:
MS Attorney General's Office
550 High Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 601-359-3680
See also
External links
- Office of the Mississippi Attorney General
- Official State of Mississippi Website
- Secretary of State - Qualifications and Fees for Mississippi Candidates
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mississippi Attorney General, "Divisions," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mississippi Secretary of State, "The Constitution of the State of Mississippi," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Forbes, "Mississippi Reins In Use Of Contigency-Fee Lawyers," May 21, 2012
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Governor Phil Bryant, "Gov. Phil Bryant Signs Sunshine Act, May 22, 2012
- ↑ Mississippi Attorney General, "Divisions," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ State of Mississippi, "Budget Bulletin Fiscal Year 2025," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "Mississippi Law," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Confirmed with Mississippi AG on 5-20-2010 via phone
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