when does the attorney generals office get involved in a complaint

by Cathy Kassulke I 5 min read

The Attorney General will review citizen complaints against a law enforcement agency or its employees for possible investigation when substantive allegations of unlawful conduct are made and all appropriate local resources for redress have been exhausted.

Full Answer

How to file a complaint with your attorney general?

Part 1 Part 1 of 2: Resolving the Dispute Locally Download Article

  1. Gather your information. Find copies of receipts or warranties. ...
  2. Contact the business or individual to resolve the issue. Many states require or strongly recommend that you contact the business before filing a complaint.
  3. Send the business necessary information. ...
  4. Propose resolution. ...
  5. Wait for resolution. ...
  6. Write a letter. ...
  7. Consider settlement. ...

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Do I need an attorney to file a complaint to?

You do not have to be a client to file a grievance. Anyone can report allegations of professional misconduct or problems with a lawyer. Please see the Attorney Complaint Information brochure for answers to common questions about the grievance process (English - Spanish).

How do you file a complaint against an attorney?

  • Office of Community Complaints —635 Woodland Ave., Suite 2102 816-889-6640
  • Westside CAN Center —2130 B Jefferson St. ...
  • Police Headquarters, Records Unit — 1125 Locust 816-234-5000
  • East Patrol Division — 2640 Prospect 816-234-5530
  • North Patrol Division — 11000 NW Prairie View Rd. ...
  • South Patrol Division — 9701 Marion Park Dr. ...
  • Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. ...

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How to find out about complaints on attorneys?

How to Find Out About Complaints on Attorneys. If you are hiring an attorney, it makes sense to find out about complaints filed against him by other clients about legal malpractice or ethical misdeeds. Search your state's attorney disciplinary board listing or apply to the American Bar Association's nationwide Data Bank.

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How do I file a complaint against a business in PA?

You may request a Statement of Complaint Form by mail, by calling the Professional Compliance Office Hotline at 1-800-822-2113 (if you are calling from within Pennsylvania) or at 1-(717) 783-4849 (if you are calling from outside Pennsylvania).

How do I file a consumer complaint with the PA Attorney General?

You can download a complaint form from our website at www.attorneygeneral.gov or you can call our toll-free number, 1.800. 441.2555, to have a form mailed to you.

How do I file a complaint against a local business?

File a complaint with your local consumer protection office or the state agency that regulates the company. Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area about your problem. The BBB tries to resolve your complaints against companies.

Does filing a complaint with the FTC do anything?

The FTC cannot resolve individual complaints, but it can provide information about what steps to take. The FTC says that complaints can help it and its law enforcement partners detect patterns of fraud and abuse, which may lead to investigations and stopping unfair business practices.

What does the attorney general do?

The Attorney General is the representative of the public in all legal proceedings for the enforcement of law and the assertion or protection of public rights. The Attorney General defends the constitutionality of Bills referred to the Supreme Court under Article 26 of the Constitution.

How do I sue the state of Pennsylvania?

Anyone wishing to sue a state governmental unit must provide written notice within six months of injury. The notice contains the identity and address of the victim; the location, date, and time of the injury; and the name and address of the potential plaintiff's doctor.

How do you complain effectively?

How do you complain effectively?Be clear on what your complaint is. ... Know what result you're hoping to achieve. ... Don't lose your temper. ... Never make it personal. ... Be genuine and sincere. ... Use social media. ... Ask to speak to someone new. ... Write to head office.

What are some examples of consumer complaints?

Customer ComplaintsLong Wait on Hold. ... Unavailable or Out of Stock Product. ... Repeating the Customer's Problem. ... Uninterested Service Rep. ... Poor Product or Service. ... No First Call Resolution. ... Lack of Follow Up. ... New Product or Feature Request.

How do you write a strongly worded complaint letter?

How to Write a Strongly-Worded Letter of Complaint: A SummaryStep 1: Make Sure You Send It to the Right Place. ... Step 2: Start the Letter With the Right Tone. ... Step 3: Explain the Problem Effectively. ... Step 4: Suggest a Solution. ... Step 5: Enclose or Attach Relevant and Necessary Documents. ... Step 6: Set a Time Limit.More items...•

What happens when you file a complaint with IC3?

After you file a complaint with the IC3, the information is reviewed by an analyst and forwarded to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies with jurisdiction, as appropriate.

How long do it take for FTC investigations?

FTC evidentiary hearings are open to the public and are intended to be expeditious (around 200 hours). To be admissible, evidence must be relevant, material and reliable. FTC counsel are permitted to disclose any information obtained during the initial investigation if it is necessary to the administrative proceeding.

How long does it take for FTC to respond?

approximately one monthHow long does it take for the FTC to respond to a FOIA request? Our goal is to respond within the timeframe outlined in the Freedom of Information Act, which is twenty working days, or approximately one month, but this may vary with the complexity of the request.

Your Information

By providing your email address, you agree to receive email communications from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

Complaint Information

Please explain your complaint: Try to be brief, but be sure to tell WHAT happened, WHEN it happened and WHERE it happened. Be specific about any oral statements the business made to you, ESPECIALLY those that influenced you to deal with the company, including how you heard about the company. Describe events in the order in which they happened.

How long does it take to respond to a complaint?

Should you have any new information, you should send it to the attention of that person. Most firms will respond, but it may take three weeks or more from the time you first register your complaint. If we don’t get a response within a reasonable time, we will attempt to contact the firm again.

What happens if you are over the limit in small claims court?

If the amount claimed by you is over the limit handled by Small Claims Court, a private lawsuit may be necessary. The state Consumer Protection Act provides a remedy for individuals who have been harmed by unfair or deceptive business practices.

What do you do when you are sued?

File lawsuits on your behalf or on behalf of individual consumers. Bring criminal charges for deceptive practices. Provide legal counsel or interpretations of the law to individuals. Routinely resolve individual complaints.

Is a complaint filed with the Consumer Protection Division open?

Complaints filed with the Consumer Protection Division are potentially an open record. This means any member of the public may file an open records request and view your complaint.

Does filing a complaint mean we represent you?

Please note: Filing a complaint does not mean that our office represents you in. any legal proceeding. You will receive a confirmation email once your complaint is successfully submitted. However, this does not mean that a case or investigation is open with the Consumer Protection Division.

What is an attorney general investigation?

Those who address these investigations or actions properly have the best chance of obtaining a positive outcome. An attorney general investigation can come in many forms, from a simple letter to a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) or subpoena.

What to do if a lawsuit is commenced?

If a lawsuit has been commenced, the goal is to get the quickest, most cost effective and painless resolution.

What is the importance of injunctive provisions in a written settlement?

If the resolution involves a written settlement, it is critical that the injunctive provisions therein be narrowly crafted, not only to allow for lawful business, but also to contemplate future technologies, business models and business interests.

Is a cover up worse than a crime?

The cover-up often is worse than the crime. Third, contact experienced counsel immediately. Attorneys general commence investigations for a wide variety of reasons. Perhaps they are seeking information about, or are investigating, your industry generally.

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