Frequently Asked Questions

back to top

The Attorney General's Office and Department of Law staff cannot provide legal advice to private citizens or organizations, but only to agencies and employees of the state.

  • You may be able to find your answer in the Alaska Statutes. They are available at http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/folio.asp.
  • Look to see if any of the following frequently asked questions address your question.
  • If you need a private attorney, the Alaska Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can help you find one with the expertise you need. There is no charge for the referral. In Anchorage call 907-272-0352. Long distance calls within Alaska may be made toll free by calling 1-800-770-9999. If you are calling from outside Alaska, please call 907-272-0352. Hours are 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Law Library: www.Alaskalawhelp.org

back to top

I want to complain about my local police department or a state trooper. Who can help me?

Complaints against a state trooper must be filed in writing with the Juneau Office of the Commissioner. Complaints may be mailed to: Office of the Commissioner, PO Box 111200, Juneau, AK 99811 or faxed to (907) 465-4362. These complaints will be reviewed by the Commissioner's office and forwarded to the appropriate parties.

Complaints about local police agencies should be directed to that agency's Internal Affairs section or the chief of police.

back to top

I have a complaint about another state agency. Can you help?

The Department of Law has no jurisdiction over other agencies. You should to take your complaint to the commissioner of the department in question. The state Ombudsman's Office is another avenue. The Alaska State Ombudsman investigates complaints against state government agencies and employees.

back to top

Where can I file a complaint about my attorney?

All attorneys who practice in Alaska must be licensed by the Alaska Bar Association. The Bar is also responsible for attorney discipline. Visit the Bar's Ethics and Discipline web site at http://www.alaskabar.org/servlet/content/resources_for_the.html for information on your rights and responsibilities as a client, and how to file a grievance against a member of the Alaska Bar.

back to top

I have a problem with a business. What are my remedies?
I want to report a scam.
What are Alaska's laws governing charitable solicitations?
How can I register to solicit charitable donations?
Does Alaska have a No-Call List or Black Dot Law allowing me to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls?

For help with all these questions, please visit our Consumer Protection web site at http://www.law.alaska.gov/consumer.

back to top

I want to make a complaint against an Assistant District Attorney or an Assistant Attorney General.

Please contact the appropriate office below:

Attorney General's Office
Deputy Attorney General James Cantor
Civil Division
1031 W. 4th Ave, Ste 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 269-5100

District Attorneys' Office
Deputy Attorney General Richard Svobodny
Criminal Division
Box 110300
Juneau, AK 99811
(907) 465-3600

back to top

I was ordered by the Court to pay a fine or restitution. I was awarded restitution paid to me by the Court. Can you help?

The Attorney General's Office acts as the collection agency for the Alaska Court system. The collections unit collects unsecured debts owed to the state. The majority of these debts are criminal judgments (fines, judgments for the cost of appointed counsel, and judgments for the cost of incarceration on DWI charges). In addition, the collections unit collects various civil judgments, including attorney fee awards, and civil penalties.

Currently, our office accepts payment in the form of check, money orders, cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Credit cards are only accepted in person or over the phone. Otherwise you may pay in person or mail your payment to: 1031 West 4th Ave, Ste 200, Anchorage, AK 99501. Our office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 – 5:00, expect major state and federal holidays.

If you have questions about the status of your restitution or collections account, please contact our Collections unit at (907) 269-5205 or toll free within Alaska 1-800-580-5205.

If you would like a copy of the Court ordered judgment or you dispute the judgment, please refer to the court website for information http://www.state.ak.us/courts/.

back to top

I have questions about my child support case. Who can I call?

You may contact the Child Support Services Division in the Department of Revenue at (907) 269-6800 for information about your case, or visit their web site at http://www.csed.state.ak.us/ for answers to many frequently asked questions.

back to top

I have a problem with my landlord (or tenant). What can I do?

The attorney general does not regulate relationships between landlords and tenants. The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act: What it Means to You is a good resource (PDF 787KB, this document requires Acrobat Reader to view). You can find it at the Consumer Protection Unit's web site, http://www.law.alaska.gov/pdf/consumer/LandlordTenant09_web.pdf, or by writing to the unit at 1031 W. 4th Ave., Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99501-1994 or calling (907) 269-5100. This booklet summarizes landlord and tenant obligations under Alaska law.

back to top

I want to file a civil, criminal or small claims case. I want to appeal a case.

Please contact the Alaska Court System or review their website for assistance. http://www.state.ak.us/courts/

back to top

I want copies of my court records or the final judgment in my case.

Please contact the Alaska Court System or review their website for assistance. http://www.state.ak.us/courts/

back to top

How do I contact the Alaska Court System?

Please contact the Alaska Court System or review their website for assistance. http://www.state.ak.us/courts/courtdir.htm

back to top

How can I get a copy of a record from a state agency?

Ask the agency for it. There may be a charge for copying depending on the size of the document. Some documents are confidential under the Alaska Public Records Act or another provision of state or federal law. Alaska's Public Records Act is located at AS 40.25.100-.220.

back to top

I would like to report child abuse or neglect. Who do I call?

Important! If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected please call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.478.4444. A child's safety may be dependent upon you. For more information on the Department's role in child abuse and neglect cases please see our "Protecting Children" page.

back to top

I want to respond to a crime.

All crimes should be reported to your local police department or the Alaska State Troopers. The police agency will investigate the crime, and if they gather sufficient evidence to believe a crime has been committed, they will take appropriate action.

back to top

I want to complain about how the judge acted in my case.

The Department of Law has no jurisdiction over judges. You should consult with your attorney about your legal remedies including appeal. For other complaints about judicial conduct the Commission on Judicial Conduct handles discipline of judicial officers. Visit their web site at http://www.ajc.state.ak.us/CONDUCT.htm, and their telephone number is (907) 272-1033.

back to top

I have a problem with my utility. Who can help me?

Contact the Regulatory Commission for Alaska at (907) 276-6222, or at visit their web site at http://www.state.ak.us/rca/ to file a complaint about a regulated utility. Regulated utilities include most telephone companies, electric companies, water and sewer, and garbage companies. Cable television and cellular services are not regulated by the State of Alaska.

back to top

Can I get an attorney general's opinion on this legal matter?

This office issues attorney general's opinions at the request of the governor and other state officials. We cannot write an opinion for a private citizen or local government entities or employees. To see if an opinion has already been issued on this legal topic, you can search our database of all attorney general's opinions issued since 1996 on-line at http://www.law.alaska.gov/doclibrary/opinions_index.html. Opinions issued prior to 1996 can be searched by keyword, but you will need to go to your local law library to obtain a copy of the actual opinion.

back to top

Where can I find out what the laws are concerning carrying a concealed weapon in Alaska?

Go to http://www.dps.state.ak.us/Statewide/PermitsLicensing/
concealedhandguns.aspx, or contact the Permits and Licensing Unit, Alaska State Troopers, 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, (907) 269-0392.

back to top

What are Alaska's laws governing sex offender registration? How can I find out if one of my neighbors is registered?

Alaska's sex offender registration program is administered by the Department of Public Safety. Information about the registry, and an on-line, searchable data base of registered sex offenders can be found at http://www.dps.state.ak.us/sorweb/Sorweb.aspx, or contact the Sex Offender Registration and Central Registry Office, Permits and Licensing Unit, Alaska State Troopers, 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, (907) 269-0396, or outside of Anchorage but in Alaska 1-800-658-8892.

back to top

Who are my legislators?

Visit www.legis.state.ak.us on-line, or your local Legislative Information Office, for information on who your legislators are, and how to get in contact with them.

back to top

What do I do if I have a question or complaint about my insurance?

You may contact the Alaska Division of Insurance Consumer Services Section at (907) 269-7900 or in state toll free 1 (800) 467-8725 or you may use the following link: http://www.dced.state.ak.us/ins/Insurance/filingAComplaint.html

About Us