Introduction to Opinions

Opinions are issued in response to requests by state agency officials and local government attorneys. The opinions fall into two broad categories, formal and informal opinions. Formal opinions are those issued to state departments and agencies. They are denominated "formal" because the Attorney General signs them as chief legal officer of the State. Informal opinions are issued to local governments at the request of the attorney for the local government, who is the municipality's chief legal officer. Opinions issued to the municipal attorney are denominated "informal" because it is ultimately the responsibility of the municipal attorney to provide advice to the local government.

This Website contains the Opinions of the Attorney General issued since 1995. There are three ways to access opinions:

  • by finding the opinion by number in the numerical index
  • by finding the subject of the opinion in the subject index
  • by finding a relevant statute in the statutory index and clicking a specific opinion number
  • by doing a Search using the opinion number(s), the statute number(s) or key words likely to be found in the opinion

Numerical Index

Opinions are numbered sequentially within each year. The informal opinions can be distinguished from the formal opinions through their designation. Informal opinions appear in the index as, for example, 96-1, i.e., the first informal opinion issued in 1996. Formal opinions appear as, for example, 96-F1. The F distinguishes the formal from the informal opinions.
Subject Index

The subject matter index identifies the opinions under subject categories. For example, if you were searching for opinions dealing with qualifications for holding public office, you would look under the designation "Public Officers" in the subject matter index.

Subject Index

The subject matter index identifies the opinions under subject categories. For example, if you were searching for opinions dealing with qualifications for holding public office, you would look under the designation "Public Officers" in the subject matter index.

General Guidelines for Requesting an Informal Opinion

  • Requests should be in writing from the municipal attorney
  • Requests should relate to questions concerning municipal authority under state law; we generally do not interpret local laws or charters
  • We do not issue opinions on matters in or likely to be involved in litigation
  • We are not factfinders and rely on the municipal attorney to provide us with the facts. Detailed requests including all pertinent facts are most helpful to us.